United States Drug Enforcement Administration

RUTLAND, Vt. - John J. Arvanitis, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration for New England and the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that today Andrew Williams, 25, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to imprisonment for 51 months on his guilty plea to conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha also ordered that Williams serve three years supervised release after his incarceration ends.

According to court records, on April 12, 2012, the Rutland City Police (RPD), assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and (ATF), conducted an investigation into oxycodone distribution in Rutland by Sara Schoenwetter, 26. On that date, RPD and ATF executed a search warrant at Schoenwetter’s residence, seizing oxycodone and $5700 in cash. After arrest, Schoenwetter was charged by the Rutland County State’s Attorney with possession and sale of oxycodone. Further investigation by RPD, ATF and the Drug Enforcement (DEA) revealed that Williams had supplied Schoenwetter with several thousand oxycodone pills for distribution in Rutland. On June 12, 2012, DEA and ATF used a confidential informant to arrange a controlled oxycodone purchase from Williams in White River Junction. Upon his arrival, Williams was taken into federal custody and charged by criminal complaint. DEA subsequently identified Ronald Hall, 41, of Rutland, as another dealer supplied by Williams, and used a confidential informant to arrange a controlled transaction with Hall.

On June 21, 2012, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Williams with conspiracy to distribute oxycodone. Schoenwetter was indicted by a grand jury on August 15, 2012 for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone, leading to the dismissal of her state charges. She entered a guilty plea to the indictment and is scheduled for sentencing on September 9, 2013. On August 29, 2012, a grand jury returned an indictment charging Hall with conspiring with Williams to distribute oxycodone from September 2011 to June 12, 2012. Hall is scheduled for sentencing on August 19, 2013, on his guilty plea to the charge.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin commended the investigation by DEA, RPD, and ATF, and thanked the Rutland County State’s Attorney for his cooperation and assistance.