June 17, 2009

DERBY MAN SENTENCED FOR IMPORTING MARIJUANA

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Leonard Brien, 55, of Derby, Vermont, was sentenced on June 17, 2009 to a three month prison term, 3 months home confinement, and 3 years of supervised release. In addition, Brien was ordered to pay a fine of $7,500 and is forfeiting approximately 48 acres of land in Holland, Vermont adjacent to his residence.

Court records showed that on February 27, 2009 Leonard Brien pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to distribute over 100 kilograms of marijuana, and one count of conspiring to import over 100 kilograms of marijuana. As a part of his plea agreement, Brien was also required to forfeit a parcel of his real property in Derby. In court, Brien admitted that his primary role was to stand watch while others crossed the border into Canada to bring back bags of marijuana and that he also allowed his co-defendants to store marijuana on his property. In late 2005 and early 2006 Brien also used his truck to bring in bags of marijuana from Canada.

The case was investigated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Drug Enforcement Administration with the assistance of the Vermont State Police. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Gelber and Leonard Brien is represented by Burlington attorney Christopher L. Davis.