Vermont Man Sentenced To 36 Months In Prison For Heroin Dealing

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that, on December 16, 2016, Robert Robidoux, 33, of Richmond, Vermont, was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison after his guilty plea to charges that he conspired to distribute heroin. Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss also ordered that Robidoux serve three years of supervised release after his prison term.

According to court records, between June and August of 2015, Robidoux conspired to distribute heroin in Vermont. At the time, he was on parole for a previous felony conviction in Vermont for the possession of heroin.

For his crime, Robidoux faced a statutory maximum term of 20 years in prison. The United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are advisory, recommended Robidoux receive a prison term of between 33 and 46 months. In determining that a 36-month term was appropriate, Judge Reiss considered the severity of the offense, the harm heroin is causing to the community in Vermont, and Robidoux’s lengthy criminal record.

United States Attorney Eric Miller commended the efforts of the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force and the Burlington Police Department in this case. United States Attorney Miller noted that this case is part of the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Vermont Heroin Initiative, which is a coordinated effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat heroin distribution in Vermont. According to United States Attorney Miller, the United States Attorney’s Office and its law enforcement partners will continue to disrupt the flow of heroin into Vermont and hold drug dealers accountable for their serious crimes against the community.

The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy C. Doherty, Jr. Robidoux is represented by Lisa Shelkrot from the law firm Langrock Sperry & Wool.