The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced today that Raymond Rivera, 33, of Hartford, Connecticut, was arrested last Thursday and charged on Friday by criminal complaint. Rivera was charged with possessing with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine on October 20, 2022. Rivera appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle this afternoon. He was detained pending a hearing scheduled for this Thursday.
According to court records, the Northfield Police Department initiated a drug trafficking investigation aimed at a residence in Northfield. Northfield Police coordinated with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist with the investigation. On the morning of October 20, 2022, law enforcement executed a state search warrant at the residence. Approximately 128 grams of suspected fentanyl and approximately 230 grams of suspected cocaine were seized during the search. Rivera, who was at the residence, was arrested at the time of the search.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint contains allegations only and that Rivera is presumed innocent until and unless convicted of a crime. If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Rivera faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison. Any sentence imposed would be informed by the United States Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the coordinated investigatory efforts of the Northfield Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Paul Van de Graaf. Rivera is represented by Allan Sullivan, Esq.