United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BURLINGTON, VT - Steven W. Derr, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin announced today that with the guilty plea of Marcus Morales, 26, of New York City, this week, to conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone, the prosecution that began in May 2010 with the indictment of eighteen individuals for Oxycodone distribution-related offenses in United States v. Bushey, et al., is drawing to a close.

Morales is the last of the eighteen defendants in this case to resolve the question of guilt. Seventeen defendants pleaded guilty, and the United States dismissed the case against one defendant.

In May 2010, the Grand Jury charged Morales, Larry Bushey, Jr., of Burlington, and others, with conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone. According to papers filed in Court, this conspiracy involved the distribution of tens of thousands of dosage units of Oxycodone, a highly addictive and dangerous controlled substance.

Larry Bushey, Jr., will be sentenced Monday, August 29, in Burlington, before United States District Judge William K. Sessions III. In a recent filing, the United States described Bushey as “the beating heart of a conspiracy to distribute this despicable drug, sucking in and pumping out thousands of 80mg oxycodone tablets into the community.”

In recent months, United States District Court Judge William K. Sessions III has imposed sentences on many of the defendants in this case. Sentences have ranged from 188 months in prison to time served. The members of this conspiracy who have thus far been sentenced to prison include Andres Malave, 31, of Springfield, Massachusetts and Cliffside Park, New (sentenced to 188 months in prison), Garrett Hartwell, 33, of (sentenced to 87 months), Travis Hartwell, 33, of (sentenced to 51 months), Bradley Bessette, 40, of (sentenced to 46 months), and Robert Emery 25, of (sentenced to 41 months).

Other defendants in this matter have also received prison sentences in connection with their convictions for Oxycodone-related offenses. They include: Charles Cahill, 50, of (sentenced to 46 months for possession with intent to distribute Oxycodone), Jarrett Erwin, 31, of (sentenced to 33 months for distribution of Oxycodone), and Matthew Terjelian, 28, of (sentenced to 6 months for distribution of Oxycodone).

The differences in the sentences imposed reflect the Court’s view of the relative seriousness of each defendant’s conduct, their criminal histories, as well as other considerations. Morales’ sentencing is scheduled for December.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin noted that this investigation was lead by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, and involved the investigative skills of, and coordination with, several police departments, including those of Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Williston, University of Vermont, Colchester, Milton. The Vermont State Police, United States Border Patrol, and the Sheriff Departments of Chittenden and Lamoille Counties also contributed significantly to the investigation.