Lawrence Jackson of Rutland Convicted of Federal Drug and Firearm Charges

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that yesterday, Lawrence Jackson, also known as "Boo-Bee", 53, of Rutland, Vermont was convicted in U.S. District Court in Burlington of seven drug and gun charges after a seven-day jury trial. U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss ordered that Jackson remain in jail pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. Jackson has been held without bail since his arrest in November 2021.

According to court records and evidence presented at trial, Jackson was arrested in Rutland City on November 23, 2021 while in possession of over 400 grams of powder cocaine and cocaine base. A Taurus Judge .410/45 caliber revolver was seized during a law enforcement search of Jackson's Rutland residence. The Judge revolver was located in a bedroom identified as belonging to Jackson. A desk in the bedroom contained numerous items used for cooking, weighing, and packaging cocaine and cocaine base. Elsewhere in the residence, law enforcement located two more firearms. At the time The Judge was seized, the revolver was loaded with both .45-Long Colt bullets and .410 shotshells. Jackson is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to his extensive criminal history.

Evidence at trial also established that Jackson sold cocaine in August 2020 and cocaine base in September 2020 to a confidential informant working at the direction of law enforcement. The jury also convicted Jackson of participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and over 500 grams of cocaine from approximately January 2021 until he was arrested on November 23, 2021. Jackson used firearms, including The Judge revolver, to further his drug trafficking conspiracy. For example, Jackson used a firearm to strike a man who owed him a drug debt.

Based on the jury's verdict, Jackson faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years' imprisonment and a maximum sentence of life. The actual sentence will be determined with reference to Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest commended the collaborative investigative work of Homeland Security Investigations, the Rutland City Police Department, and the Vermont Drug Task Force. U.S. Attorney Kerest also thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Vermont State Police for their investigative assistance, Homeland Security Investigations for extensive support during trial, and the U.S. Marshals Service for assistance during trial.

"Lawrence Jackson did a lot of damage to many peoples' lives in the Rutland area, both by distributing cocaine and with physical violence," stated U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest. "Thanks to the dedication of the team in this office and our many law enforcement partners who contributed to this investigation and trial, Mr. Jackson has been brought to justice. This guilty verdict and the focused effort put into this case by the U.S. Attorney's Office and its partners exemplifies our dedication to addressing violent drug crime in Rutland and throughout Vermont. We will continue to prioritize the prosecution of violent drug crime and will not rest in that effort as long as conduct like Mr. Jackson's persists."

"Our investigation into Jackson painted a picture of a violent and cruel individual who used his reputation to perpetrate a string of crimes in Rutland. Yesterday, a jury found him guilty on seven counts related to drug trafficking and illegal possession of a firearm and now he's facing a serious federal sentence. HSI is proud to work alongside our partners here in Vermont to make our communities safer," said Michael J. Krol, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in New England.

"As a direct result of the collaborative effort between local, state, and our federal law enforcement partners, Mr. Jackson has been held accountable for the harm he inflicted upon many individuals and the entire Rutland community. We give thanks to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont for its dedication to the prosecution of this matter," said Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen.

At trial, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Ophardt and Nicole Cate represented the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Stendig worked on this matter for the government during the pre-trial phase. Jackson represented himself at trial, and Robert Behrens, Esq. served as standby counsel.

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.