Joshua Bedard, 38, of Waterbury, Vermont, has been charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and distribution of cocaine and cocaine base, according to a May 15 statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. Bedard appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on May 12 and was ordered detained pending trial.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address drug-related crime in Vermont. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont enforces federal criminal laws and handles civil litigation on behalf of the United States, serves the state through offices in Burlington and Rutland, supports community safety initiatives, fosters partnerships with law enforcement agencies at all levels to enhance public safety, and falls within federal law enforcement administration according to the official website.
Court records indicate that Bedard was involved in distributing cocaine and cocaine base on at least two occasions in April in the greater Brattleboro area. During one incident he was observed carrying a revolver. He was arrested on May 12 while driving a rental vehicle; inside officers found about 400 grams of cocaine along with a loaded revolver.
The United States Attorney’s Office said that “the complaint contains allegations only and that Bedard is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.” If convicted, Bedard faces up to life imprisonment with a mandatory minimum sentence of five years. The actual sentence would be determined by the District Court using advisory guidelines as well as statutory sentencing factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt said he commended “the investigatory efforts of the Vermont Drug Task Force, the FBI Vermont, the FBI’s Western Massachusetts Gang Task Force, the Brattleboro Police Department, and the Hartford, Vermont Police Department.” Assistant United States Attorney Joshua L. Banker is prosecuting; Bedard is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
