Shelburne, Vermont Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Drug and Gun Offenses

Rutland, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 29, 2024, Michael Burton, 48, of Shelburne, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 60 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Burton previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to court records, on April 3, 2023, Burton was arrested by law enforcement in South Burlington, Vermont following a lengthy investigation for drug trafficking. At the time of his arrest, Burton possessed a black backpack which contained, among other things, more than 100 grams of cocaine base, approximately 200 fentanyl pills, a digital scale, and additional drug paraphernalia used for the distribution of controlled substances. Later on April 3, 2023, law enforcement executed a federal search and seizure warrant at Burton's residence in Shelburne, Vermont. Inside of Burton's room, investigators found more than 30 grams of cocaine base, ammunition, magazines, and three firearms, specifically: a Ruger EC9S 9x19mm semi-automatic pistol; a HS Produkt XD9 9x19mm semi-automatic pistol; and a Smith & Wesson M&P9 9x19mm semi-automatic pistol.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig. Burton was represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels.

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 Justice.gov/PSN.