Two Charged in Connection with Drug Activity at 50 Central Street, Brattleboro, Vermont

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on March 11, 2020, Matthew Sinclair, 24, and Jorge Delaoz, 51, were arrested and charged with violations of the federal Controlled Substances Act in connection with drug activity at 50 Central Street in Brattleboro, Vermont.

According to Court records, Sinclair and Delaoz engaged in drug transactions in January and February, selling cocaine base to a confidential informant inside the apartment located at 50 Central Street.  During one of the controlled purchases, Sinclair was observed cooking cocaine base on the stove in the kitchen of the apartment.  On the morning of March 12, 2020, detectives with the Vermont Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the premises.  Delaoz attempted to flee by jumping out of a second-story window of the residence.  Delaoz was found in possession of suspected cocaine base and heroin at the time of his arrest.  Sinclair was located in the bathroom of the residence, and was attempting to flush approximately 37 grams of cocaine base down the toilet.  A search of the room out of which Delaoz jumped revealed a Taurus .380 caliber pistol in close proximity to a set of car keys for Sinclair’s vehicle.

The case is being investigated by the Vermont State Police Southern Vermont Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The defendants made their initial appearance on March 11, 2020 before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy, and were ordered detained pending a detention hearing on March 16, 2020.

If convicted, Delaoz and Sanchez each face up to twenty years of imprisonment on each charge.  The actual sentences, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.  The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the complaints are merely accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.

The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt.  Matthew Sinclair is represented by Stephanie Greenlees, Esq.  Jorge Delaoz is represented by Michael Straub, Esq.