Daniel McSwiggan, 52, of Rutland, Vermont, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison followed by two years of supervised release for maintaining a residence for the manufacture, storage, distribution, and use of cocaine base. The sentencing took place on August 4, 2025, before Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss. McSwiggan had previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
Court records show that in late June and early July 2024, McSwiggan rented and lived in a Rutland residence where he used cocaine base and allowed others to do so as well. He also distributed cocaine base from the location with others. At the time, McSwiggan was a former nurse who had been terminated from his job at a local medical center in April 2024. Firearms were found at the residence.
On June 24, 2024, McSwiggan fired a rifle toward another suspected drug distributor who was fleeing from the property. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the home and recovered two rifles—a Savage Model 10 .308 caliber and a Ruger 10/22 .22 caliber—along with 282 rounds of ammunition, cocaine base, and drug paraphernalia.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher said: “I commend the collaborative investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Rutland Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the Vermont Drug Task Force.”
The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith. Defense counsel for McSwiggan was Jordan Handy.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that coordinates law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021. The program emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting organizations focused on violence prevention, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes. More information about Project Safe Neighborhoods can be found at https://www.justice.gov/psn.
