July 1, 2009

LOCAL MAN AND AKWESASNE RESERVATION SOURCE OF SUPPLY SENTENCED TO JAIL FOR MARIJUANA CONSPIRACY

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that United States District Court Judge William K. Sessions, III imposed sentences on two members of a conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Abraham David, 36, from the Akwesasne Reservation in upstate New York, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, and Alan Young, 46, of Colchester, was sentenced to 24 months in prison. David admitted delivering over 500 kilograms of marijuana to Young during 2006-2008.

The 2007-2008 investigation by the DEA Task Force involved several late 2007 wiretaps, authorized by Judge Sessions, on cell phones used by Young and other marijuana traffickers. They were the first federal wiretaps used in Vermont in approximately 15 years. In addition to the drugs delivered by David to Young’s Colchester residence, the investigation established that bulk marijuana also was being distributed by other men at Duncan’s Auto in Colchester, a business owned by Young. William Trieb, Eric Ceric, and Gregory Burt all pleaded guilty to trafficking at Duncan’s Auto. Young, David, and Debra Pope all pleaded guilty to trafficking at Young’s residence. During the investigation, approximately $90,000 in drug payments were intercepted moving from Young to David. Young also agreed to forfeit the monetary value of his equity in his Colchester house. Charges against Son Dang remain pending.

At sentencing this week, David received a harsher sentence in part for refusing to provide information concerning the offense to the government. Judge Sessions credited Young with having provided the government with all information he had concerning the offense.

David was represented by New York attorney Stanley Cohen and Burlington attorney Robert Katims. Young was represented by Burlington Attorney Paul Volk. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Darrow.