Burlington Standard

Burlington, Vermont – Eddie Melendez, known as "Bart," a 31-year-old resident of Feeding Hills, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 68 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. This decision was handed down by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss on October 29, 2024. Melendez had previously pleaded guilty to conspiring with others to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base around Rutland, Vermont.

Court documents revealed that Melendez led a drug distribution network responsible for transporting significant quantities of cocaine base and heroin/fentanyl from Massachusetts to the Rutland area regularly from late 2019 or early 2020 until January 2024. The operation involved using local hotels and private residences for selling drugs. More than twelve associates participated in distributing controlled substances or providing locations for the operations. Melendez admitted to coordinating these activities. Investigators conducted fourteen controlled purchases from his organization between August 2023 and January 2024.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest acknowledged the joint efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Vermont State Police’s Drug Task Force, Homeland Security Investigations, Rutland City Police Department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Ludlow Police Department.

The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jason Turner and Jonathan Ophardt, while John-Claude Charbonneau represented Melendez.