Twelve Arrests Made in Rutland, Bennington Drug Sweep

BENNINGTON — The Vermont State Police announced Friday, Dec. 15, that 12 people had been arrested and charged with actions involving the sale or distribution of heroin and cocaine.

According to the state police, between September 16, 2017, and December 15, 2017, members of the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force conducted an arrest operation in Rutland and Bennington Counties. This enforcement action took place following numerous drug investigations into the distribution of heroin and crack cocaine, and included identifying individuals maintaining a drug involved premise, and resulted in 12 arrests.

The arrest operation resulted in the arrest of 9 state defendants and 3 federal defendants. Of the 9 state defendants, 8 were cited to appear in Vermont Superior Court on the dates and times noted above, either in Rutland or Bennington counties. Jean Sousie was on furlough at the time of her arrest and was lodged at MVRCF. State charges include Sale of Heroin, Sale of Crack Cocaine, Sale of Non-Controlled Substance, and child endangerment.

The arrest operation also included the arrests of the 3 federal defendants. Federal defendants, Rick Webster and Sheri Fitzgerald were arrested following joint investigations conducted by members of the Southern Vermont Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office. Webster and Fitzgerald are charged with Maintaining a Drug-Involved Premise. Following their respective arraignments, both were remanded to the custody of the United States Marshals Service.

Megan Harpp was arrested by the United States Marshal Service in New York City on December 5, 2017, following the issuance of a federal arrest warrant. The federal arrest warrant had been issued after Harpp failed to appear in federal court on November 14, 2016. Harpp is facing federal drug charges stemming from an investigation conducted by the Vermont Drug Task Force, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Attorney’s Office.

The following individuals were taken into custody as part of the drug sweep:

ACCUSED: Jean M. Sousie

AGE: 24

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Danby, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Crack Cocaine (3) counts

Court Date: Lodged and arraigned at Rutland Superior Court on September 28, 2017

ACCUSED: Richard B. Webster

AGE: 60

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: West Rutland, Vermont

VIOLATION: Maintaining Drug-Involved Premise

Court Date: Arraigned in federal court on November 2, 2017

ACCUSED: Sheri A. Fitzgerald

AGE: 53

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, Vermont

VIOLATION: Distribution of heroin, Maintaining Drug-Involved Premise

Court Date: Arraigned in federal court on December 11, 2017

ACCUSED: Amanda F. Wilkins

AGE: 31

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of heroin (2) counts & Cruelty to a Child (2) counts

Court Date: Arraigned at Bennington Superior Court on September 7, 2017

ACCUSED: Bradley R. Sweet

AGE: 30

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin (2) counts

Court Date: January 8, 2018

ACCUSED: Kearstyn L. King

AGE: 19

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin (2) counts

Court Date: January 8, 2018

ACCUSED: Edward L. Everett

AGE: 51

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin (1) count & Sale of Non-Controlled Substance (1) count

Court Date: January 8, 2018 @ 8:30

ACCUSED: Paul A. Jordan

AGE: 34

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Crack Cocaine (1) count

Court Date: January 8, 2018 @ 8:30

ACCUSED: Jason P. Robinson

AGE: 39

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: SSCF, Springfield, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin (6) counts

Court Date: January 8, 2018

ACCUSED: Megan E. Harpp

AGE: 25

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland, Vermont

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin

Court Date: Pending

ACCUSED: Brent Shaw

AGE: 32

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin

Court Date:

ACCUSED: Tiffany Shaw

AGE: 35

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Rutland

VIOLATION: Sale of Heroin

Court Date: