July 2, 2009

HOLLAND, VT MAN SENTENCED FOR MARIJUANA CONSPIRACY

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Dustin M. Craig, 31, of Holland, Vermont, was sentenced on June 29, 2009 to a 21 month prison term, followed by 4 years of supervised release.

Court records showed that on February 27, 2009 Dustin Craig pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import marijuana into the United States and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Burton Jacobs, Randall Blake and Leonard Brien have also pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy. Court documents show that Craig was responsible for the distribution of between 1,000 and 3,000 kilograms of marijuana over a period of three to four years. Craig did receive a lesser sentence than he otherwise might since the Court found he had a minor role in the conspiracy, acting as a courier rather than directing the activity in any way. Brien was sentenced to three months in prison, plus a $7500 fine and a forfeiture of property adjacent to his house. He was also found to have a minor role in the conspiracy, had no criminal record and an outstanding record of community involvement and service. Burton Jacobs and Randy Blake are scheduled to be sentenced on July 13, 2009 in Burlington, VT.

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 Dustin Craig is represented by Burlington attorney Karen Shingler.