A Vermont man has been sentenced to 5 years in prison for his role in a fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine trafficking operation. Shequille Carter, 28, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute the illicit substances following a two-day trial in September 2020.
On August 21, 2019, Carter and two others traveled from the Burlington area to a St. Johnsbury residence linked to drug trafficking. After a brief stop, they were driving back toward Burlington when a Vermont State Trooper stopped their car for a traffic infraction.
A search of the car’s interior yielded approximately 290 bags of heroin laced with fentanyl and approximately 41 grams of crack cocaine. The drugs were recovered from a center console in the rear seat of the vehicle, where Carter had been sitting. Carter also had $3,071 in cash on his person.
In Carter’s cellphone, investigators found text messages and other entries indicative of drug-trafficking, including messages arranging sales of heroin and cocaine. A federal jury in Rutland convicted Carter of this offense.
At the time of Carter’s drug trafficking activity in Vermont, he was serving a term of supervised release following a prior federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute marijuana sustained in the Southern District of New York. Carter subsequently failed to appear for revocation proceedings in the Southern District of New York, and absconded supervision.
On January 2, 2020, DEA agents located and arrested Carter in Burlington, Vermont. Carter faces additional proceedings in the Southern District of New York related to his supervised release violations.
Acting United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt commended the investigative efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Vermont State Police, the Burlington Police Department, and the assistance of the Vermont Drug Task Force.
Carter is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Quinn and Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. The prosecutors are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Waples and Spencer Willig.
Carter’s 60-month prison sentence will be followed by a four-year period of supervised release. The case highlights the ongoing struggle against drug trafficking in Vermont and the importance of interagency cooperation in these efforts.
Related Federal Cases
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- Tyler Hayes, Bomb Possession, Vermont 2024 · New Hampshire
- Richard Bailey Jr., Firearm Possession, Vermont 2023 · Washington
- Jeremy Digby, Unregistered Firearm Possession, Vermont 2024 · New Hampshire
- Shawn Snead, Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, Vermont 2025 · New York
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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