United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BURLINGTON, Vt. – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that 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. On May 12, 2026, Jarvis appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle, who ordered that Jarvis be detained pending trial. Brown is scheduled to have her initial appearance later today.

According to court records, the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted substantial surveillance of Jarvis after learning from sources that Jarvis was engaged in drug trafficking. DEA’s surveillance revealed that Jarvis was associated with multiple drug-involved locations in the greater Burlington area, that Brown frequently accompanied him on visits to these drug-involved locations, and that Jarvis was making short-duration trips to New York City. These observations led law enforcement to interdict Jarvis on the evening of May 10, 2026, while he was returning to Vermont from New York City. During a traffic stop in Shelburne, Vermont, Brown was driving, and Jarvis was the passenger. A search of Jarvis’ person revealed approximately 510 grams of suspected cocaine base and 24 grams of suspected fentanyl in his vest pocket. A search of Jarvis and Brown’s Winooski apartment occurred in the early morning hours of May 11, 2026, resulting in the seizure of additional suspected controlled substances and drug trafficking paraphernalia.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Jarvis and Brown are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Jarvis and Brown face up to 20 years in prison if convicted. The actual sentences, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigatory efforts of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Vermont Office, thanked the Drug Enforcement Administration’s New York Task Force 21, the Burlington Police Department, and the Essex Police Department for their assistance. 

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Nate Burris. Jarvis is represented by Lisa Shelkrot, Esq. Brown is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.