SEPTEMBER 22, 2009

CONNECTICUT MAN JAILED 8 YEARS FOR DRUG AND GUN CRIMES

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that yesterday Paul Keeler, 20, of Connecticut, was sentenced in United States District Court in Burlington to imprisonment for a term of 36 months for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine plus a consecutive term of 60 months for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Chief United States District Court Judge William K. Sessions III also ordered Keeler to serve three years of federal supervised release after the aggregate 96-month term of imprisonment.

According to court records, Paul Keeler conspired with Matthew James Adams, 23, and brother Mark Adams, Jr., 25, both of Windsor, Vermont, and others to distribute crack cocaine, heroin, and other drugs in the Windsor area from the summer of 2007 until their arrests in November 2007. During the course of the conspiracy, Keeler and the Adams brothers distributed at least 600 grams of crack cocaine and 180 grams of heroin from two residences in Windsor. During the fall of 2007, the Vermont State Police (VSP) Drug Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) conducted a series of controlled purchases of crack cocaine, heroin, and prescription pills from the defendants. During the November arrests, agents seized 40 bags of crack cocaine weighing approximately 20 grams, 69 bags of heroin, and ten oxycodone prescription pills hidden on Keeler’s body.

Matthew Adams was sentenced on June 18, 2009, to 30 months’ imprisonment on his pleas of guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and a second charge of possession of firearms while being an unlawful user of controlled substances. Mark Adams was sentenced on June 29, 2009, to imprisonment for 12 months and one day for conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of crack cocaine and possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin commended the joint investigation by the VSP Drug Task Force and ATF. Keeler was represented by Burlington attorney Maryanne Kampmann. Matthew Adams was represented by Barre City attorney David Kidney. Mark Adams was represented by South Burlington attorney Richard Goldsborough. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Craig Nolan.

U.S. Attorney Coffin noted also that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood, a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF, Project Safe Neighborhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who violate federal gun laws. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhood and Project Safe Vermont, please visit: www.psn.gov.