Philadelphia Man Sentenced For Drug Offense in Winooski

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Robert Thorn, 50, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today in United States District Court in Rutland, Vermont for possessing with intent to distribute heroin and 28 grams or more of cocaine base. Chief U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford sentenced Thorn to five years in prison, to be followed by a five-year period of supervised release.

According to court records and proceedings, on January 14, 2019, law enforcement stopped a vehicle after investigation into suspected drug activity at a residence in Winooski, Vermont. Thorn, a passenger in the vehicle, initially provided law enforcement a false name. Thorn was found to be carrying approximately 110 grams of cocaine base, over 8 grams of heroin, and over $3,300 in U.S. currency. Additional investigation revealed that Thorn, who was on probation at the time, had deposited over $36,000 cash in Vermont ATMs in approximately two months.

The government and Thorn entered into a plea agreement in which Thorn admitted to the offense. The Court accepted the parties’ agreement providing for a five year sentence and sentenced him accordingly.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Cate handled the prosecution.  Thorn was represented by Assistant Federal Defender Steven Barth.