United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on July 29, 2022, Christopher Rivers, 28, of Coney Island, New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss to 30 months’ imprisonment and a 3-year term of supervised release for distributing cocaine base on September 21, 2021.

As indicated in court records, throughout August and September 2021, investigators with the Burlington Police Department, with the assistance of members of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Burlington Resident Office, conducted multiple controlled purchases of narcotics from traffickers who were working together in Burlington, Vermont. 

As part of this investigation on September 21, 2021, a confidential informant purchased cocaine base from Rivers in downtown Burlington.  On September 23, 2021, investigators apprehended multiple traffickers involved in drug distribution, including Rivers.  That day, investigators also executed a search warrant at a Church Street residence in downtown Burlington.  Within the Church Street residence, investigators recovered over 40 grams of cocaine base and over 18 grams of fentanyl, which Rivers, with others, admitted to possessing with intent to distribute.  Investigators also recovered a Mossberg .410 pump shotgun and a Savage Arms .22 Long Rifle from the Church Street residence.    

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the efforts of the Burlington Police Department as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration, Burlington Resident Office, in the investigation and prosecution of Rivers.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman.  Rivers was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.