New Jersey Man Charged with Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine Base and Possession of Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime (DOJ)

Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on December 4, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Christopher Crawford, 36, of Sicklerville, New Jersey, with possession with intent to distribute 28 grams or more of cocaine base and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Crawford has not yet been arraigned. According to court records, Crawford is currently detained pending trial by the State of Vermont on charges of first-degree murder, cocaine possession, methamphetamine possession, and possession of a firearm after violent crime conviction. The State alleges that on September 4, 2022, Crawford snuck up on and murdered a man by shooting him twice in the back of the head while the man sat with his girlfriend in Burlington City Hall Park. Three days after the shooting on September 7, 2022, Burlington Police Department stopped a vehicle in which Crawford was riding and found a loaded .357 magnum revolver and a .380 semi-automatic pistol, as well as 49 grams of cocaine base, 97 grams of cocaine, 6 grams of methamphetamine, and 3 grams of fentanyl, in Crawford's backpack and bag.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Crawford is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Crawford faces up to life imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

First Assistant United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Burlington Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The prosecutor is Special Assistant United States Attorney Craig S. Nolan. Defense counsel has not been appointed yet for Crawford in federal court.