14 Years Jail For Local Repeat Drug Dealer

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Stephen R. Bedell, age 51, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced to 14 years in jail yesterday by Judge William K. Sessions III of the United States District Court in Burlington.

Bedell was arrested by the Burlington Police Department in October, 2012.  He had two prior Vermont felony convictions for drug dealing, in 2002 and 2004.  Bedell was arrested while selling crack cocaine to a customer, after multiple prior undercover crack and heroin deals during the preceding months.  Burlington Police officers recovered $154,000 that Bedell had hidden in area storage units, and $2,720 that he had when arrested.  They also recovered commercial quantities of heroin and many other types of drugs, multiple cell phones, and several cars, including a red 2004 Mazda RX8, and a red Pontiac Grand Prix.  Christa Maynard was also arrested and charged as Bedell's conspirator.  She previously was sentenced to 36 months. 

At yesterdays hearing, Judge Sessions heard evidence that Bedell=s drug customers included 10 area female addicts whom he coerced into performing sexual acts to compensate for drug debts.  Photos and videos of the females were found in Bedell's seized iPhones.  He also had addict customers steal items and swap them to him for drugs, and had them transfer to him personal belongings such as cameras, jewelry and electronics in exchange for drugs and as collateral for drug debts.

Judge Sessions observed that Bedell's conduct was Aappalling, and his continued drug dealing after prior convictions aggravating.  The Court imposed a term of imprisonment of 168 months, followed by a term of supervised release.

The U.S. Attorney expressed gratitude for a superb investigation by the Burlington Police Department.  Bedell was represented by David McColgin of the Federal Public Defender.  The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Darrow.