Burlington, Vermont – Javon Calderon, a 21-year-old from Holyoke, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 85 months in prison followed by an eight-year supervised release. This decision was made by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss on December 23, 2024. Calderon had earlier admitted guilt to charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine and for using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.
Court documents reveal that Calderon, along with Christopher Morgan, spent significant time in Bennington, Vermont in 2022 distributing drugs. They were assisted by local residents Shavonne Doucette and Kyle Winnie who occasionally sold drugs for them. An incident in September 2022 involved Calderon and Morgan threatening a local distributor with firearms over a debt. The assault was partially recorded on video showing both men making threats while armed.
Morgan has also pleaded guilty to similar charges as Calderon and is awaiting sentencing on March 13, 2025. Doucette and Winnie have admitted to allowing their residence to be used for drug distribution. Their sentencings are scheduled for January 21 and February 18, 2025, respectively.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest praised the joint efforts of various law enforcement agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Vermont State Police, and others involved in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith prosecuted the case. Legal representation included Devin McKnight for Calderon, Peter Langrock for Morgan, Brooks McArthur for Doucette, and Jordana Levine for Winnie.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities.