Swanton Village Police Media Release 2025

Media Release 12/5/2025

NARRATIVE:

After a multi-week investigation, the Swanton Village Police Department with assistance from Vermont State Police, Grand Isle Sheriffs and Border Patrol executed a search warrant at an address on Frontage Rd. at Lafar Rd., Swanton. The Swanton Village Police Department located 379 grams of crack cocaine (cocaine base), 40 grams of fentanyl, a firearm with the serial number ground off, and $2,676 cash. The Swanton village Police Department arrested Mustafa M. Muhammed, age 24 from Philadelphia, PA and Anthon R. Avery, 26 years of age from Brooklyn, NY along with three residents of the home. Muhammed and Avery were lodged on $25,000 bail and the Judge did not find probable cause to lodge the local residents of the home.

The Swanton Village Police Department embraces a philosophy of assisting individuals who suffer from substance use disorder in receiving treatment. However, the Swanton Village Police Department will aggressively address narcotic distribution and the tertiary crime associated with such activity and hold all individuals accountable to the best of our ability within the confines of the law.

The Swanton Village Police Department does not determine bail, or whether a subject is held incarcerated. Those matters are determined by the criminal justice system, including Judges, the State’s Attorneys, and Defense Attorneys.   

Media Release 11/6/2025

NARRATIVE:

After a multi-week investigation, the Swanton Village Police Department with assistance from Investigators with the Vermont Department of Liquor and Lottery executed a search warrant at 20 Merchants Row, Swanton, Terp City Smoke Shop. The Swanton Village Police conducted multiple controlled purchases of cannabis and THC products from the Smoke Shop prior to execution of the search warrant. The Terp City Smoke Shop was not a licensed Cannabis Distributor in the State of Vermont.

Upon executing the search warrant, the Swanton Village Police Department seized 132 THC vapes of different varieties, approximately 77 grams of Marijuana packaged both in bulk and for sale in smaller quantities, and several different forms of edibles packaged for sale. SVPD also located approximately 45 grams of crack cocaine.

Jared Lutz, 22 years of age, the store owner was cited for Conspiracy to distribute Cannabis products because there was evidence, he was the source of Cannabis products in the store and had directed store clerk Brian Draper, 52 years of age, to sell Cannabis products.

Brian Draper the store clerk was cited for Sale of Cannabis, Sale and Possession of Cocaine.

The State’s Attorney Office declined prosecution of Lutz for Conspiracy; however, the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Officer Kalb 802-868-4100.

The Swanton Village Police Department embraces a philosophy of assisting individuals who suffer from substance use disorder in receiving treatment. However, the Swanton Village Police Department will aggressively address narcotic distribution and the tertiary crime associated with such activity and hold all individuals accountable to the best of our ability within the confines of the law.

The Swanton Village Police Department does not determine bail, or whether a subject is held incarcerated. Those matters are determined by the criminal justice system, including Judges, the State’s Attorneys, and Defense Attorneys.   

Media Release 9/19/2025

NARRATIVE:

On 9/17/25 at approximately 7:30 PM the Swanton Village Police Department executed a search warrant at an apartment on Depot St. after an extensive investigation. The Swanton Village Police department located 197 grams of crack cocaine or cocaine base, 127 folds of fentanyl and/or heroin, $5,641 cash and two firearms, one of which was stolen from St. Albans, in the apartment that the suspects were using to distribute narcotics. The Swanton Village Police Department made 8 arrests as a result of the search warrant. In addition to the subjects from New York who were arrested for distributing narcotics the following arrests were made. Jeffrey Dominque 35 years of age was arrested on a warrant with the underlying charges of Kidnapping – Bodily Injury or Fear and Larceny from a Person. Keri-Lyn Paquette 37 years of age was arrested on a warrant for the underlying charges of Assault and Robbery, Transportation of drugs into a Detention Center and cited for providing a False name to officers on scene and was found to be in possession of cocaine upon her arrival at Corrections. Chelsea Dumont 32 years of age was arrested on a warrant for Retail theft x2 and Simple Assault. Kayla Bushy 31 years of age was issued a citation for a cite and release arrest warrant with the underlying charges of DUI Drug or Both and Resisting Arrest. Elizabeth Green 47 years of age and Derrick Cusson-St. George were also lodged for unlawful trespass on the property and initially were held on $5,000 bail imposed by a Judge but were released after arraignment due to a different Judge not finding probable cause.

The Swanton Village Police Department embraces a philosophy of assisting individuals who suffer from substance use disorder in receiving treatment. However, the Swanton Village Police Department will aggressively address narcotic distribution and the tertiary crime associated with such activity and hold all individuals accountable to the best of our ability within the confines of the law.

The Swanton Village Police Department does not determine bail, or whether a subject is held incarcerated. Those matters are determined by the Judicial System, including Judges, The State’s Attorney’s Office and Defense Attorneys.

Media Release1/3/2025

NARRATIVE:

On 1/2/2025 at approximately 1743 hours the Swanton Village Police Department along with the Vermont State Police, Chittenden County Sheriffs and Federal law enforcement partners executed a search warrant at 22 Elm St. Swanton, VT. This is the second search warrant that was executed at the residence with the first search warrant being executed on 10/01/2024 resulting in the arrest of Mary Hodgdon for selling cocaine a violation of 4231(b)(1).

Officers of the Swanton Village Police Department were aware that the drug-related activity at this address did not cease after the first search warrant was executed.

The continuing investigation resulted in the arrest of Davidson Altimo 28 years of age from Springfield, MA on 11/22/2024 when he was observed leaving the residence at 22 Elm St. and subsequently fled a traffic stop initiated on Robinhood Dr. resulting in him crashing his vehicle on Missisquoi St. and attempting to flee on foot. This vehicle was also occupied by a 23-year-old male from Springfield, MA. Altimo was found to be in possession of 30 wax folds that tested presumptive positive for heroin/fentanyl and was in possession of a zip-lock style baggie containing powder with an approximate total weight of 5 grams also testing presumptive positive for the presence of heroin/fentanyl.

Altimo was subsequently charged with 18 VSA 4233(c) which states that a person knowingly possessing Heroin in an amount consisting of 3.5 grams or more with intent to sell or dispense shall be imprisoned for not more than 30 years or fined not more than $1,000,000.00 or both. There shall be a permissive inference that a person who possesses heroin in an amount of 3.5 grams or more intends to sell or dispense heroin. Altimo was also charged possession of Regulated Drugs (Depressant, Stimulant, Narcotic) a violation of 18 VSA 4234(a)(1)(A), Gross Negligent Operation a violation of 23 VSA 1091 (b)(1), Excessive Speed a violation of 23 VSA 1097, Eluding a Police Officer a violation of 23 VSA 1133, and Reckless Endangerment a violation of 13 VSA 1025. Altimo was on probation in Massachusetts for armed robbery according to his probation officer.

The drug-related activity continued after the arrest of Altimo and on 1/2/2025 the Swanton Village Police Department executed a search warrant resulting in the arrest of Marques Jubrey 23 years of age from Springfield, MA for selling cocaine a violation of 18 VSA 4231(b) and possession of cocaine a violation of 18 VSA 4231(a). During the execution of the search warrant officers located approximately 19 grams of a hard white substance that tested presumptive positive for cocaine.

Officers of the Swanton Village Police Department are familiar with Jubrey who was arrested on 3/3/2023 at 115 Virginia Ln, Highgate during a search warrant where Jubrey threw 13.23 grams of crack cocaine out a window during the execution of the search warrant. Additionally, upon searching the residence 2.4 grams of crack cocaine and 73 wax folds containing a white powdery substance that tested presumptive positive for heroin/fentanyl were located. At that time Jubrey was charged with Conspiracy related to trafficking cocaine and heroin in violation of 13 VSA1404, Possession of Cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 13 VSA 4231(b)(2), and possession of heroin with intent to distribute in violation of 18 VSA 4233(b)(3).

Swanton, both the Village and the Town are a small community, and the Swanton Village Police Department is aware of most drug activity and has identified many of the individuals involved. The Swanton Village Police Department would prefer that individuals suffering from substance use disorder receive the treatment they need and will help facilitate this process. However, if drug activity and secondary crime related to drug activity continue, the Swanton Village Police will take vigorous enforcement action to address crime and disorder in our community.