The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Maurice D. Johnson, 49, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was ordered detained today by United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy on heroin trafficking charges.

A June 2019 Indictment charges Johnson with conspiracy to distribute heroin, and four distributions of heroin.  On July 4, 2019, he was arrested by the Vermont State Police driving on Interstate 89 near Williston.  Johnson appeared in federal court in Burlington today for an arraignment and bail hearing.  Judge Conroy expressed concern about Johnson’s extraordinary criminal history of 18 felonies, including convictions for drugs, assaults, and escape.  The government pointed out that the alleged federal heroin trafficking offenses took place while Johnson was on probation from his last conviction in the State of Connecticut. 

Johnson’s attorney, Michael J. Straub, urged that much of Johnson’s criminal history took place when he was young.  Judge Conroy noted that while in his 40s, Johnson had been convicted of multiple drug felonies and an assault.  Johnson was ordered detained pending trial.  At the request of the defense, the Court provided a 60-day period for defense pretrial motions, which are due September 6, 2019.  The maximum penalty for the federal offenses in the event of conviction is 20 years imprisonment.

The Indictment is an accusation only and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   The Drug Enforcement Administration, working with the Essex Police Department, investigated the charged drug trafficking.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy L. Fuller represented the United States.  Johnson is represented by attorney Michael Straub.