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Winooski Arson & Drug Ring: Four Get Federal Time
WINOOSKI, VT – Four individuals have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a brutal arson attack and a sprawling drug trafficking operation that plagued Chittenden County for years. The case, stemming from a deliberately set fire at 400 Main Street in Winooski on April 23, 2016, and a conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine, has finally reached its conclusion with significant prison terms handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss.
Bryant McCray, 33, formerly of Brooklyn, New York, received the harshest sentence: 129 months of imprisonment, followed by four years of supervised release. Lateek Cargo, 32, also formerly of Brooklyn, NY, was sentenced to 118 months imprisonment and four years of supervised release. Both McCray and Cargo were jointly and severally ordered to pay restitution to the victims of the arson in the amount of $138,063.17 – a grim tally of the damage and disruption they caused.
The arson itself was a calculated act of revenge. Court records reveal that Justin Johnson, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, a drug runner for McCray and Cargo, had been robbed of drugs and cash while staying at the Winooski apartment complex. McCray and Cargo, fueled by retribution, stormed the building, doused a victim’s bedroom with gasoline, and ignited it. Tenants narrowly escaped the rapidly spreading flames, and the building sustained extensive damage. Johnson himself received a 60-month imprisonment sentence and four years of supervised release for his role in the drug conspiracy.
The drug operation didn’t end with the fire. Kylee Raduechel, 31, of Essex, Vermont, provided a safe haven for McCray and others, hosting them at her residence. A September 2016 raid by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) uncovered approximately 30 grams of heroin and nearly 100 grams of cocaine base at Raduechel’s home. Despite the initial bust, the conspiracy continued until the defendants were apprehended in 2017. Raduechel was sentenced to 48 months of imprisonment, followed by three years of supervised release.
All four defendants pleaded guilty, acknowledging their participation in the criminal enterprise. This case is being highlighted as a key example of the United States Attorney’s Office Violent Crime Initiative, focusing on the dangerous intersection of drug trafficking and violence. U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan praised the collaborative efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), DEA, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Vermont State Police, Vermont Drug Task Force, Burlington Police Department, Essex Police Department, and Winooski Police Department.
“This extraordinary law enforcement collaborative effort exemplifies our resolve to combat violence and drug trafficking,” stated U.S. Attorney Nolan. “The defendants’ conduct was motivated by greed and they put innocent Vermont lives at risk. We will continue to deliver serious consequences for offenses of this magnitude.” ATF Special Agent in Charge Kelly D. Brady added, “These sentencings demonstrate ATF’s commitment to protect our communities from violent criminals that threaten our quality of life.” The message is clear: bringing drugs and violence to Vermont will be met with a swift and decisive federal response.
Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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