Four Charged in Connection with Drug Activity at 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4, Brattleboro, Vermont

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on February 28, 2019, Francis Macie, Linda Wainwright, Desiree Wells-Cooper, and Juan A. Sanchez, Jr., all of Brattleboro, were arrested and charged with violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act in connection with drug activity at 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4, in Brattleboro, Vermont. 

According to Court records, from in or about December 2018 through in or about February 2019, Francis Macie rented, used, and maintained 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4, in Brattleboro, Vermont for the purpose of distributing and using controlled substances, including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine.  On December 28, 2018, law enforcement officers searched the residence at 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4 and seized over 200 grams of cocaine base, approximately 70 Oxycodone/Morphine pills, and firearms and ammunition, among other things.  On February 15 and 25, 2019, the Vermont State Police Vermont Drug Task Force, assisted by a confidential informant, purchased fentanyl from Desiree Wells-Cooper.  Both purchases took place at 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4.  On February 20 and 22, 2019, the Vermont State Police Vermont Drug Task Force, assisted by a confidential informant, purchased heroin from Denise Wainwright.  Both purchases took place at 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4.  On February 28, 2019, law enforcement officers executed another search warrant at 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4, leading to the arrests of Macie, Wells-Cooper, and Wainwright.  Also inside the residence was Juan A. Sanchez, Jr., who was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.  Macie is charged with renting, using, and maintaining 33 Oak Street, Apt. #4 for the purpose of using and distributing controlled substances.  Wells-Cooper and Wainwright are charged with distributing controlled substances. 

The case is being investigated by the Vermont State Police Vermont Drug Task Force, the Brattleboro Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

The defendants made their initial appearances on February 28 and March 1, 2019 before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy.  Macie, Wells-Cooper, and Sanchez, Jr. were ordered detained.  Wainwright is scheduled for a detention hearing on March 6, 2019. 

If convicted, Macie, Wainwright, Wells-Cooper, and Sanchez, Jr. each face up to twenty years of imprisonment on each charge.  The actual sentences, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.  The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the complaints are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty. 

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan A. Ophardt and John J. Boscia.  Francis Macie is represented by John-Claude Charbonneau.  Linda Wainwright is represented by Ernest Allen.  Desiree Wells-Cooper is represented by Mark Oettinger.  Juan A. Sanchez, Jr. is represented by Karen Shingler.