Rutland Cocaine Base and Fentanyl Ring Busted: 6 Men Charged

Burlington, Vermont – In a major blow to the state’s opioid epidemic, the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that six men have been charged with conspiring to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl in Rutland, Vermont.

The suspects include Eddie Melendez, 30, Reuben Melendez, 28, and Serafin Melendez, 53, of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts; Mathew Ponce, 29, and Giovanny Guzman, 23, of Springfield, Massachusetts; and Anthony Baker, 31, of Rutland, Vermont.

According to the indictment, the conspiracy took place between August 2023 and January 12, 2024. The defendants have been hit with multiple charges, including conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, as well as distribution of a controlled substance or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Each of the defendants has entered a not guilty plea to the charges during arraignments before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle in April and May 2024. Serafin Melendez, Eddie Melendez, Reuben Melendez, and Mathew Ponce were released on conditions pending trial, while Anthony Baker and Giovanny Guzman were ordered detained pending trial.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that the above-named defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to twenty years of incarceration. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, Vermont State Police, Rutland City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bennington County Sheriff’s Department.

The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Turner and Jonathan Ophardt. The defendants are represented by top-notch lawyers: John Claude Charbonneau, Esq. (Eddie Melendez); Mark Oettinger, Esq. (Reuben Melendez); Ian Carleton, Esq. (Serafin Melendez); Robert Behrens, Esq. (Mathew Ponce); Robert Sussman, Esq. (Giovanny Guzman); and Richard Goldsborough, Esq. (Anthony Baker).