March 03, 2008
WINOOSKI MAN ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO DISTRIBUTE MORE THAN 5 GRAMS OF CRACK COCAINE
The United States Attorney's Office announced that on February 29, 2008, John Hamilton, 40, of Winooski, was arrested by the Winooski Police Department for possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine). Hamilton is scheduled to appear in federal court on March 4, 2008 for an initial appearance and bail hearing.
According to Court documents, law enforcement officers from Burlington, Colchester, Essex, South Burlington, and Winooski had been investigating Hamilton in connection with drug trafficking in the greater Burlington area since the spring of 2007. In October, 2007, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at what was then Hamilton's residence in Winooski. On that occasion, they recovered drug paraphernalia and two ounces of crack cocaine. Hamilton was not arrested in connection with that search.
Court records further reveal that on February 29, 2008, law enforcement officers made a controlled purchase of crack cocaine from one of Hamilton's associates. Immediately prior to this sale, this associate was seen by surveillance agents meeting with Hamilton. Law enforcement then followed Hamilton, who was driving a Jaguar, as he went to two different hotels on Shelburne Road in South Burlington. Hamilton was then stopped by the Burlington Police Department and was taken into custody for narcotic trafficking. At the time of his arrest, Hamilton was in possession of more than $4,000 in cash, approximately 10 grams of powder cocaine, and approximately 24 grams of crack cocaine. The crack cocaine included a larger rock and smaller pieces packaged for distribution.
With the assistance of hotel employees, law enforcement identified the rooms which Hamilton had checked into. After Hamilton's arrest, police executed search warrants on both hotel rooms. According to Court documents, they found a Milwaukee Combo tool kit and a suitcase containing drug paraphernalia and a digital scale in one hotel room and a scanner, scale, drug paraphernalia, and a crack kit (including torches to smoke and cook crack, "cut," a scale, pipes, stems, and other paraphernalia) in the second hotel room.
The penalty for possession with intent to distribute more than five grams of cocaine base is at least five and not more than 40 years of imprisonment. A fine of not more than $2,000,000 may also be imposed.
United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson cautioned that a criminal complaint is only a method of bringing charges and is not proof of guilt. He noted that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court. United States Attorney Anderson thanked the Burlington, Colchester, Essex, South Burlington, and Winooski Police Departments, for their collaborative work during this investigation. Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels has been appointed to represent the defendant. Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth C. Woodcock has been assigned to prosecute the case for the United States.
