The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Marvin Byrd, 29, of Hartford, Connecticut, has been sentenced to 35 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.
The sentencing, delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss on November 8, 2024, comes after Byrd pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl.
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According to court documents, Byrd conspired with several individuals to obtain and distribute narcotics throughout Orleans County, Vermont. From March to August 2023, Byrd—known locally as “TJ”—operated out of multiple residences in the area, using them as hubs for preparing and selling drugs. Investigators conducted a series of controlled buys, including one in April 2023 where Byrd directly sold fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest emphasized that Byrd’s case was part of a broader federal, state, and local law enforcement initiative aimed at combating drug and firearms trafficking in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
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He praised the collaborative efforts of the Northeast Vermont Drug Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Homeland Security Investigations, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Newport Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Air & Marine Operations, and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Lasher handled the case. Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls and attorney Arthur Ruben, Esq represented Marvin Byrd.
Byrd’s sentencing marks a significant development in ongoing efforts to address the drug crisis affecting communities in Vermont.
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