December 7, 2007

BRATTLEBORO COCAINE DEALER ARRESTED AND ARRAIGNED

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Christopher Thomas, 38, of Brattleboro was arrested by the Brattleboro Police Department pursuant to a federal warrant and arraigned today in United States District Court in Burlington on a five-count indictment, charging violations of the federal drug laws. Thomas entered pleas of not guilty on all counts. He was released on a variety of conditions pending trial.

The indictment was returned on September 26, 2007, by a federal grand jury sitting in Rutland. Count one of the indictment charges Thomas with conspiring to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine from 2004 to June 2007. Counts two through five each charge Thomas with distributing cocaine on a specific date during the course of the alleged conspiracy. United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson emphasized that the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

If Thomas is convicted of the conspiracy charge, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years’ imprisonment and a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, as well as a fine of up to $2,000,000. The cocaine distribution counts each carry a penalty of imprisonment up to 20 years and a fine up to $1,000,000. The actual sentence in the event of conviction would be determined by the court with reference to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines.

The investigation was conducted by the Vermont State Police Southern Vermont Drug Task Force. Thomas is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Mann. Assistant United States Attorney Craig Nolan is prosecuting the case.