Connecticut Man Charged with Drug Trafficking in Burlington, Vermont

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jahking Allah, also known as “Stop Sign,” 44, of Quaker Hill, Connecticut was arrested on Friday, January 19, 2024 and subsequently charged by federal criminal complaint with distribution of cocaine base. Allah’s initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle is scheduled for Wednesday, January 24 at 3:30 p.m.

According to court records, Allah sold cocaine base to a cooperating subject in Burlington on two dates in January 2024. Then, on January 19, law enforcement executed a search warrant at 195 St. Paul Street, Apartment A, where Allah was staying. Within the apartment, law enforcement found seven handguns, two of which had previously been reported stolen. Seven is among the largest number of pistols that the Burlington Police Department has ever recovered during a single search warrant execution. Also within the apartment were approximately 85 grams of suspected cocaine base, approximately 25 grams of suspected fentanyl, and multiple digital scales.

If convicted of the current charges, Allah faces a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code. The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the complaint are merely accusations, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Nicole Cate. Allah is represented by the Office of the Federal Public Defender.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn.