Burlington Man Charged for Selling Drugs in City Hall Park

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on November 17, 2022, a federal grand jury returned a four-count indictment against Kenneth Jackson, 68, of Burlington, Vermont, which charged him with distribution of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine, and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm.  Jackson was previously charged via criminal complaint and has been ordered detained pending trial.  Jackson will be arraigned on the indictment on November 28, 2022, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. 

According to court records and proceedings, on October 21, 2022, Jackson sold a quantity of fentanyl to a confidential source (CS) working for law enforcement.  At the time Jackson sold the CS the drugs, he was working out of his car while parked at City Hall Park in Burlington.  On October 28, 2022, Jackson sold fentanyl to the CS a second time, also while at City Hall Park.  On November 10, 2022, law enforcement arrested Jackson.  During a search of his person incident to arrest, law enforcement found approximately $2,000 in cash.  During a search of his car, law enforcement found approximately $5,500 in cash, and distribution quantities of fentanyl, cocaine, and crack cocaine in various containers.  Law enforcement also executed a search warrant at Jackson’s residence on November 10, 2022. During that search additional quantities of fentanyl and cocaine were found, as well as a loaded Rossi .357 Magnum revolver.  Jackson, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute cocaine in 1999 and convicted for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession with intent to distribute cocaine in 2009, is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm.  

U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest emphasized that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  If convicted, Jackson’s sentence will be determined with reference to the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the impact, if any, of any mandatory minimum prison terms applicable to any count of conviction.  

U.S. Attorney Kerest commended the efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Burlington Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  

Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson is handling the prosecution of Jackson.  Jackson is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.  

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn