Burlington, Vermont – The grim reign of Daniel McSwiggan, the drug kingpin of Rutland, has come to an end as he was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss to a staggering 24 months’ imprisonment followed by a 2-year term of supervised release.
McSwiggan, 52, pleaded guilty to managing and controlling a residence used for the illegal manufacture, storage, distribution, and use of cocaine base, a Schedule II controlled substance. The court records reveal that McSwiggan, a former nurse terminated in April 2024, was deeply entangled in the drug trade.
In late June and early July 2024, McSwiggan rented a residence in Rutland, where he not only used but also allowed others to use cocaine base. He distributed the substance from this location, and on June 24, 2024, an incident escalated as McSwiggan shot a rifle at another suspected drug distributor during a high-stakes chase.
During a search warrant executed at the residence, law enforcement officials uncovered a Savage Model 10 .308 caliber rifle, a Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber rifle, 282 rounds of ammunition, cocaine base, and various drug paraphernalia. The firearms were another chilling addition to McSwiggan’s arsenal in his drug empire.
Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the collaborative efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, ATF, the Rutland Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the Vermont Drug Task Force in bringing McSwiggan to justice.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith, with defense represented by Jordan Handy, Esq. This conviction is a testament to Project Safe Neighborhoods’ commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence, making neighborhoods safer for all. For more information on PSN, visit Justice.gov/PSN.
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Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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