A Poultney man has been sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment for hosting out-of-state drug dealers at his residence, violating federal law. Wayne Oddo, 54, of Poultney, was sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sitting in Rutland, Vermont, on March 15, 2017.
Oddo previously pled guilty to a violation of a federal law that prohibits making a residence, or other place, available for the purpose of manufacturing, storing, distributing, or using any controlled substance. This statute imposes a maximum sentence of twenty years imprisonment, up to a $500,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release. In this case, Oddo was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment and a three-year period of supervised release by the U.S. Probation Office, which will begin when Oddo is released from prison.
The investigation revealed that Oddo housed two out-of-state drug dealers who sold heroin and crack cocaine in Rutland County from about December 2016 to March 2017. These two drug dealers, Richard Torruellas (a.k.a. “Scoob”), 23, and Franseco Escribano (a.k.a. “Brisco”), 35, were known as the “Jersey Boys,” as they were from the Jersey City, New Jersey area. Both previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute heroin and cocaine base and each received sentences of 54 months’ imprisonment.
According to the government, Torruellas and Escribano often stayed overnight at Oddo’s residence on Morse Hollow Road in Poultney with their supply of drugs. During the day, they would go into Rutland and use local addicts to sell most of their drugs. In exchange for letting them stay at his residence, Torruellas and Escribano gave Oddo small, personal use amounts of drugs and paid some of his bills. Oddo also allowed Torruellas and Escribano to target shoot with his guns in his backyard.
The investigation also revealed that there were two drug-related deaths at Oddo’s residence during the six-month period. In both instances, Oddo never called for help. In the first case, Oddo moved the body of Alexandra Rooker, 26, who had fatally overdosed a week earlier at Oddo’s residence, to his shed because of the smell and did not report her death to anyone. In light of these facts, the government argued that a significant sentence of imprisonment was appropriate.
U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan stated, “In light of the defendant’s disregard for the dignity of deceased persons, a significant sentence was warranted. This tragic case also shows how destructive and corrosive the opioid crisis is in the State of Vermont.” The opioid crisis in Vermont requires a multi-faceted law enforcement approach aimed at reducing supply, which will complement statewide efforts to reduce demand by making drug treatment more accessible to addicts.
With this sentencing, the U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to vigorously prosecute large-scale drug dealers and those who enable them by providing them with a place to stay, store their product, and conduct drug trafficking activities. Prosecuting these individuals and shutting down these safe houses is necessary because oftentimes these facilitators will host a succession of out-of-state drug dealers.
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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