Ten Members of Drug Trafficking Organization Sentenced in Federal Court

BURLINGTON - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that ten defendants in a drug trafficking organization led by Hussein Iman, age 22, of Springfield, Massachusetts, have been sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss for drug trafficking and money laundering offenses.

According to court records, Iman managed an organization that distributed ounces of fentanyl and cocaine base throughout Vermont beginning by October 2023 and continuing even after Iman's July 2024 arrest. Iman initially ran the organization from Springfield, Massachusetts using a social media account, and continued to direct its activities while detained in jail.

Law enforcement conducted a total of five controlled purchases from Iman's organization through the social media account between April and July 2024. Iman had other people, including juveniles, transport drugs to Vermont for distribution from multiple locations in Orange and Washington Counties. Iman's drug customers included at least one juvenile. Iman and other members of the organization possessed firearms and used violence to further their drug trafficking activities. In social media messages, Iman bragged about directing violence against individuals to further his drug trafficking business. Iman also conspired with co-defendants to launder the financial proceeds from the distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base.

One of the locations that Iman used as a drug distribution hub was a 14-acre property in Williamstown, Vermont that was controlled and maintained by co-defendant Joseph Cadorette, II. When law enforcement executed a search warrant at the Williamstown property in July 2024, they found a juvenile who had been reported missing, six firearms, ammunition, fentanyl, cocaine base, and a large amount of U.S. currency.

Hussein Iman pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use a place for the purpose of distributing and using a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, conspiracy to launder money, and conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. On October 9, 2025, he was sentenced to 120 months' imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. He was represented by Tristram Coffin, Esq.

Joseph Cadorette, II, age 38, of Williamstown, Vermont, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to use a place for the purpose of distributing and using a controlled substance. On October 23, 2025, he was sentenced to 40 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was represented by Lisa Shelkrot, Esq.

Abdirahman Aden, age 24, of Louisville, Kentucky, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. On September 4, 2025, he was sentenced to 33 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was represented by Brooks McArthur, Esq.

Marcus Santiago, age 24, of Rochester, New York, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl. On August 4, 2025, he was sentenced to 36 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.

Michael Bernier, age 42, of East Montpelier, Vermont, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money. On May 7, 2026, he was sentenced to time served and three years of supervised release. He was represented by Stephanie Greenlees, Esq.

Amanda Delisle, age 39, of Leicester, Vermont, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money. On November 21, 2025, she was sentenced to 20 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release. She was represented by Robert Behrens, Esq.

Christina Byrd, age 43, of Granville, Vermont, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base. On November 25, 2025, she was sentenced to 30 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release.

Geneva Brown, age 22, of Springfield, Massachusetts, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder money. On May 5, 2026, she was sentenced to five years of probation. She was represented by Frank Twarog, Esq.

Anthony Matarazzo, age 38, of Barre, Vermont, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and cocaine base. On September 2, 2025, he was sentenced to 27 months' imprisonment and three years of supervised release. He was represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the U.S. Border Patrol; the Chittenden County Sheriff's Department; the Vermont State Police, including its Narcotics Investigation Unit; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations; the Hampden County, Massachusetts Sheriff's Office; the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration; the Springfield, Massachusetts Police Department; the Massachusetts State Police; the Barre Town Police Department; and the Barre City Police Department.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ophardt stated: "This armed and violent drug trafficking organization, which distributed fentanyl and cocaine base throughout central Vermont, was dismantled thanks to the diligent and thorough investigation spearheaded by Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Attorney's Office will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute dangerous narcotics distribution organizations."

"Today's tenth and final sentencing marks a significant milestone in the dismantlement of this drug trafficking ring and the end of a long, painstaking investigation. HSI and our law enforcement partners followed the trail of this sprawling conspiracy to Vermont where Iman and his conspirators peddled fentanyl and cocaine base with blatant disregard for the danger they inflict on the community. Deadly drugs have taken too many lives and destroyed too many families in Vermont. HSI will continue to work ceaselessly to dismantle drug trafficking networks and bring traffickers to justice," said Homeland Security Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Grimming.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole Cate and Andrew Gilman.