Three Arrested for Drug Distribution at Rutland Motel

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Bradley Saldi, 43, Tina-Marie Mound, 61, and Brittany Fields, 31, have been charged with the distribution of cocaine base and fentanyl by criminal complaint. All three were arrested Thursday morning, July 6, 2023, in Rutland, Vermont during the execution of federal search warrants at the Highlander Motel. All three were living at the Highlander Motel at the time of their arrest and are scheduled to appear this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle.

According to court records, law enforcement conducted numerous controlled purchases from multiple people at the Highlander Motel between December 2022 and June 2023. Saldi is alleged to have distributed cocaine base on May 15, May 16, June 12, and June 14, 2023, and fentanyl on May 15, 2023. Mound is alleged to have distributed fentanyl on December 7 and December 9, 2022, and on February 17, 2023. Fields is alleged to have distributed fentanyl on January 31, 2023, and cocaine base on June 14, 2023. All of these controlled purchases occurred on the premises of the Highlander Motel.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint contains allegations only, and that Saldi, Mound, and Fields remain presumed innocent until and unless they are convicted of a crime. Each defendant faces a maximum sentence of 20 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police’s Narcotics Investigation Unit, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Rutland City Police Department, and Homeland Security Investigations. He also thanked the Vermont State Police’s Field Force and Tactical Services Unit for vital assistance.

The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Turner and Jonathan Ophardt.  Saldi, Mound, and Fields have not yet been appointed counsel.