Zaquikon T. Roy Arraigned on New Drug and Gun Charges

Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Zaquikon T. Roy, 35, of Brooklyn, New York, was arraigned on February 20, 2024, in U.S. District Court in Burlington, Vermont on a superseding indictment charging the following: conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, fentanyl, and 500 grams or more of cocaine; two counts of distribution of cocaine base; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base; two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; one count of felon in possession of a firearm; and one count of discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The count for discharge of a firearm relates to a shooting that occurred in Leicester, Vermont on June 4, 2023. Roy waived his appearance at his arraignment and pleas of not guilty were entered on his behalf. Roy was previously detained pending trial and is still detained.

If convicted of these offenses, Roy faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, and a fine of up to $5,000,000. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations, and that Roy is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont State Police.

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul J. Van de Graaf and Wendy L. Fuller. Roy is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit Justice.gov/PSN.