May 18, 2009

CAREER OFFENDER AL-ISA DANZY SENTENCED TO PRISON

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Al-Isa Danzy, 33, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, was sentenced on May 18, 2009, in United States District Court in Brattleboro, Vermont, to serve 80-months imprisonment and a four (4) year term of supervised release following his guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g), and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(B). United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha also ordered Danzy to pay a $200 special assessment.

According to court proceedings, on January 25, 2006, members of the Rutland Police Department learned that crack cocaine was being sold out of a residence located at 43 Grant Avenue, Rutland, Vermont. Officers obtained a warrant to search the residence, and discovered the defendant in possession with between 20 and 35 grams of crack cocaine. Officers also discovered that Danzy, who had previously been convicted of two felonies: burglary, in 1992, and sale of cocaine, in 1993, was in possession of two handguns. Those predicate convictions qualified Danzy to be a career offender, and he was therefore subject to enhanced penalties.

The prosecution of Danzy was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Masterson. Danzy was represented by Paul Volk of Blodgett, Watts, Volk & Sawyer.

United States Attorney Van de Graaf commended the efforts of the Rutland Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms in conducting the investigation and prosecution of Danzy.