New York Man and Woman Face Federal Charges For Possessing with Intent to Distribute Kilogram of Heroin

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Shawn Alonso, of New York, New York, and Tamara Moody of Queens, New York have both been charged by criminal complaint with possession of 100 grams or more of heroin, with intent to distribute the drug in Chittenden County, Vermont.

According to Court documents, the United States alleges that Alonso and Moody rented a car at LaGuardia Airport on March 17, 2017, and traveled to Chittenden County, VT. At approximately 8:15am on March 18, 2017, Alonso and Moody arrived at a Chittenden County business, with the intent of meeting a person to distribute heroin. As Alonso and Moody arrived at the business, agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Essex Police Department, and United States Border Patrol stopped the rental vehicle. As law enforcement removed Alonso from the driver’s seat of the vehicle, a large package of powder fell from Alonso’s pants. A search of Alonso revealed an additional smaller package of suspected controlled substances. The larger package weighed approximately 1.049 kilograms, and field-tested positive for the presence of heroin. The smaller package weighed approximately 170 grams, and was not field-tested. The government alleges that Alonso and Moody possessed with the intent to distribute over 100 grams of heroin, and aided and abetted the same.

Both Alonso and Moody appeared today before Chief United States District Court Judge Christina Reiss in Burlington. Chief Judge Reiss ordered that both Alonso and Moody be held pending a detention hearing, scheduled for Thursday, March 23, 2017.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty. If either Alonso or Moody is convicted, each faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years, and a maximum possible term of imprisonment of forty years.

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon Ophardt. Alonso is represented by Lisa B. Shelkrot, Esq. of Burlington. Moody is represented by Robert S. Behrens, Esq. of Burlington. The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Colchester Police Department, the Essex Police Department, and the United States Border Patrol.