Detroit Man Sentenced to Over Two Years for Selling Cocaine While on Federal Supervised Release

Detroit Man Sentenced to Over Two Years for Selling Cocaine While on Federal Supervised Release

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 23, 2026, Terry Dawayne Catchings, 31, of Detroit, Michigan, a/k/a "Biggs" was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 30 months' imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. On March 10, 2026, Catchings pleaded guilty to two charges of distribution of cocaine and cocaine base in December 2025, as well as a charge of possession with intent to distribute cocaine in January 2026. Catchings was still serving a federal sentence of supervised release at the time of the distributions of cocaine in 2025.

According to court records, in a prior case in 2024, Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Catchings to 18 months of incarceration and a year of supervised release for an offense related to drug distribution in Vermont. At the time, Judge Sessions specifically warned Catchings that if his criminal activity continued, "it's only a matter of a short time before you get arrested" and "you find yourself in a prison setting for longer and longer periods of time." While on supervised release from that sentence in December 2025, Catchings was caught selling cocaine and cocaine base in Vermont and was then arrested after returning from New York with over 100 grams of cocaine to sell in Vermont concealed in the fabric ceiling of his car. In imposing sentence today, Judge Lanthier acknowledged the fact that Catchings sold drugs while on supervised release and reminded Catchings of the warning Judge Sessions had given him after his first sentence.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Vermont Drug Task Force, FBI, Morristown Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff's Office, and Vermont State Police.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Dana E. Hill. Catchings was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.