A federal grand jury has indicted Christopher Crawford, 36, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, on charges of possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. The indictment was returned on December 4, 2025, according to the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont.
Crawford has not yet been arraigned on these federal charges. Court records indicate that he is currently detained by the State of Vermont pending trial for separate state charges. These include first-degree murder, cocaine possession, methamphetamine possession, and possession of a firearm after a violent crime conviction. The state alleges that on September 4, 2022, Crawford shot and killed a man in Burlington City Hall Park while the victim sat with his girlfriend.
Three days after the alleged shooting incident, Burlington Police stopped a vehicle in which Crawford was riding. Officers found a loaded .357 magnum revolver and a .380 semi-automatic pistol. They also discovered approximately 49 grams of cocaine base, 97 grams of cocaine, six grams of methamphetamine, and three grams of fentanyl in Crawford’s backpack and bag.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that an indictment contains only allegations and emphasized that “Crawford is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.” If convicted on the federal charges, Crawford could face up to life imprisonment. Sentencing would be determined by the District Court using advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines along with statutory sentencing factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher acknowledged law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation: “I commend the investigatory efforts of the Burlington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.”
Special Assistant United States Attorney Craig S. Nolan is prosecuting the case for the government. As of now, no defense counsel has been appointed for Crawford in federal court.
