RUTLAND, Vt. — A Vermont man was sentenced May 29 to five years in prison following a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) drug trafficking investigation.
Michael Burton, 48, of Shelburne, received a term of 60 months of imprisonment to be followed by a three-year term of supervised release. Burton previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to the investigation, on April 3, 2023, Burton was arrested by HSI special agents in South Burlington following a lengthy investigation for drug trafficking. At the time of his arrest, Burton possessed a black backpack that contained more than 100 grams of cocaine base, approximately 200 fentanyl pills, a digital scale and additional drug paraphernalia used for the distribution of controlled substances. Later that day, HSI special agents executed a federal search and seizure warrant at Burton's residence in Shelburne. Inside Burton's room, investigators found more than 30 grams of cocaine base, ammunition, magazines and three firearms — specifically, a Ruger EC9S 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol; a HS Produkt XD9 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol; and a Smith & Wesson M&P9 9x19mm semiautomatic pistol.
This case was led by HSI New England’s Burlington Resident Agent in Charge office with investigative support from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.