Swanton Woman Arrested for Distributing Crack Cocaine

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Pamela Yandow, 49, of Swanton, Vermont, was arrested today for distributing cocaine base on multiple occasions in October of 2021. Yandow is scheduled to appear later today on the charge before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. 

According to court records, in October of 2021, Yandow distributed cocaine base, commonly known as “crack,” on multiple occasions to a confidential informant at or near her residence in Swanton.  This morning, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Yandow’s residence in Swanton, and arrested her pursuant to a federal arrest warrant.  Yandow’s extensive criminal history dates back to 1996, and includes a 2003 federal conviction for bank fraud, a 2013 state conviction for narcotics distribution, and a 2019 federal conviction for conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base.  Yandow received an 84-month prison sentence in 2019, but was granted compassionate release on April 2, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

If convicted of the charge alleged in the complaint, Yandow faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment and a $1,000,000 fine. The actual sentence however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The Acting United States Attorney emphasized that the charge in the complaint is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty. 

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of  Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the St. Albans Police Department.  He also thanked the Swanton Police Department, the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the U.S. Border Patrol for their assistance.

The United States is represented in this matter by Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt. Yandow is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.