Hancock Man Sentenced To Five Years For Manufacturing Methamphetamine

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that today Michael Wood, 46, of Hancock, was sentenced by United States District Judge William K. Sessions III to sixty months imprisonment on his guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. Judge Sessions also ordered Wood to serve four years supervised release after his incarceration ends.

According to court documents, Wood manufactured and distributed methamphetamine at his residence in Hancock during fall 2012. In November 2012, the Vermont Drug Task Force (VDTF) made controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Wood. On November 20, 2012, the VDTF executed a search warrant at the residence, seizing evidence of methamphetamine production. Wood was arrested on that date and charged initially in Addison County Superior Court by the Vermont Attorney General=s Office. The state charges were dismissed after a federal grand jury returned the indictment. At the sentencing hearing the court determined that Wood had manufactured twenty to thirty-five grams of methamphetamine. Wood has been detained since his arrest.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin commended the investigation into methamphetamine production by the VDTF and thanked the Vermont Attorney General's Office for its assistance and cooperation. Federal Defender Michael Desautels represented Wood. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan.