During the lapse in government funding from October 1 to November 12, 2025, employees of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont continued their work without pay. The office provided a summary of cases and activities undertaken during this period.
Several indictments were returned by the Grand Jury on various charges, including drug distribution, firearms offenses, robbery, alien smuggling, and crimes involving minors. Notable cases included an indictment against Tashama Oates from Connecticut for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine; Dontayveus Thomas from Florida for drug conspiracy and firearms offenses; Deandre Watson and Jamelle Willis for possession with intent to distribute cocaine base; Juan Pablo Espinoza-Morales from Mexico for transporting nine aliens into the U.S.; Isiah Smith for conspiracy to distribute heroin and cocaine base; Ezra Dillon for Hobbs Act robbery in Burlington; Mark Billy Brown and Raymond Regimbald for drug distribution offenses; Maurice Jackson from Brooklyn for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute cocaine base; Aldrain Ashby charged with fentanyl distribution resulting in death or serious injury near a school; Mohamed Mubarak from Kenya charged with making a false statement in acquiring firearms; Tremaine Knight charged with murder-for-hire and drug offenses; Haley Morgan indicted on child sexual abuse material charges; Ayman Khalifa indicted on multiple counts related to cocaine and fentanyl distribution; Guadalupe Vargas facing charges relating to methamphetamine, cocaine base, fentanyl distribution as well as firearm possession crimes; and Dejaneiro McDaniel charged with distributing cocaine base and fentanyl.
Sentencings handed down during this time included Davonne Brown receiving a 110-month prison term after pleading guilty to conspiring to carry a firearm related to drug trafficking. Hussein Iman was sentenced to 120 months following guilty pleas on drug and money laundering charges. Davon Lee received a 60-month sentence after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Meghan Cox was sentenced to 20 months following her plea regarding conspiracy to commit commercial robbery. Gordon Richard was sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. James Plunkett received a 78-month sentence after pleading guilty to bank robbery. Joseph Cadorette II was sentenced for using his property in furtherance of drug distribution activities. Gabriel Lopes Da Silva Santos was given nine months following his plea on firearm possession as an alien without immigration status. Jaquan Rivera received a four-year sentence after being convicted of felon-in-possession-of-firearm charges along with intent-to-distribute fentanyl.
Additionally, the office forfeited Gordon Richard’s Milton residence due to its use in facilitating his criminal activity.
The press release notes: “All indictments and complaints are allegations only. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are convicted. Upon conviction, the Court’s sentencing decisions will be informed by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and Statutory Sentencing Factors.”
