Brooklyn Man Arrested for Conspiracy to Distribute Crack Cocaine in Rutland

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that early today Von Simmonds, 30, of Brooklyn, New York, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Rutland City Police Department (RPD) and charged by complaint in United States District Court for conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine in Rutland. United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy scheduled a hearing on the government’s detention motion for 2:00 p.m., March 11, 2013.

According to court records, FBI and RPD investigators received information that controlled substances were being distributed from an apartment on Church Street in Rutland City. Investigators proceeded to the apartment, where they encountered several individuals, including Simmonds. While at the apartment, investigators learned that Simmonds had trafficked approximately 20 ounces of crack cocaine from New York City to Rutland, where he distributed the drug to others for further distribution during winter 2012-2013. Investigators also learned that during a six-month period beginning in late 2011, Simmonds made approximately 20 trips to Burlington to distribute crack cocaine. Investigators seized a small amount of crack cocaine and approximately $4,500 in cash drug proceeds belonging to Simmonds from the Church Street apartment.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin emphasized that the charge contained in the criminal complaint is merely an accusation and that defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, defendant faces a maximum possible term of imprisonment of 20 years; however, any actual sentence in the event of conviction will be determined pursuant to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines and the federal statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Coffin commended the joint investigation by the FBI and RPD with assistance from the Vermont Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig S. Nolan of the United States Attorney’s Rutland Branch Office.