Nicolelus Sanborn Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Drug Distribution Charges

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office announced that Nicolelus Sanborn, 30, of Burlington, Vermont, pleaded not guilty yesterday in United States District Court in Burlington to an indictment charging him with distributing fentanyl. U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered that Sanborn be detained during the pendency of this matter.

On October 17, 2024, a federal grand jury returned the indictment that charged Sanborn with distributing fentanyl in May 2024. According to court records, a cooperating individual bought narcotics from Sanborn in controlled purchases that were recorded and surveilled by law enforcement. Law enforcement arrested Sanborn on those charges on November 14, 2024.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Sanborn is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

If convicted, Sanborn faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $1,000,000. 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.

This case was investigated by the Burlington Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration Task Force.

Sanborn is represented by Mark Oettinger, Esq. The prosecutor for the government is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.