Todd Jarvis, 54, and Kylei Brown, 24, both of Winooski, Vermont, have been charged by criminal complaint with possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl, according to a May 13 statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont. Jarvis appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on May 12 and was ordered detained pending trial. Brown is scheduled for her initial appearance later in the day.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address drug trafficking activities in Vermont. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont enforces federal laws and manages civil cases for the United States while partnering with agencies to boost public safety and safeguard civil rights; it operates offices in Burlington and Rutland, according to the official website.
Court records show that after receiving information about Jarvis’s alleged involvement in drug trafficking, the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted extensive surveillance. Agents observed Jarvis at several locations believed to be involved in drug activity around Burlington and noted that Brown often accompanied him. Law enforcement stopped their vehicle during a return trip from New York City on May 10; Brown was driving while Jarvis was a passenger. Officers found approximately 510 grams of suspected cocaine base and 24 grams of suspected fentanyl on Jarvis during this stop. A subsequent search at their Winooski apartment led to more suspected controlled substances and paraphernalia related to drug trafficking.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that “the complaint contains allegations only and that Jarvis and Brown are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.” If convicted, both face up to twenty years in prison; sentencing would be determined by the District Court using advisory guidelines as well as statutory factors.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt said he commended “the investigatory efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Vermont Office,” also thanking DEA New York Task Force 21 along with Burlington Police Department and Essex Police Department for their assistance.
The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Nate Burris; Lisa Shelkrot represents Jarvis while Brown is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.
