Raids last week on two apartment houses in Rutland — part of an investigation into illegal drug dealing and human trafficking — have so far resulted in at least one arrest on a federal firearms charge.
Authorities and court filings still have not shed more light on the human trafficking probe, though police said Friday they found three women behind a padlocked apartment house door.
Jackson Grant, 37, of Brooklyn, New York, made an initial appearance Tuesday in federal court in Burlington on a charge of unlawfully possessing a firearm having been convicted of a felony. He appeared at the hearing by video from the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans.
It also appears more charges may be on the way for Grant.
“The complaint affidavit states that Grant was conducting business at the intersection of drugs and firearms, one of the most dangerous circumstances in Vermont,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf, the prosecutor in the case, wrote in a request to keep Grant in custody until his trial. “Grant faces the potential of being charged with other serious crimes, including drug trafficking.”
Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle ordered Grant remain in custody Tuesday. A hearing will be held later on his ongoing detention.
Van de Graaf had asked the judge to schedule the hearing at least 10 days out, as authorities sort out the status of a parole violation for Grant out of New York state.
Sara Puls, a federal public defender representing Grant, did not object to the prosecution’s request.
Grant was taken into custody Friday morning at an apartment at 47 Baxter St. in Rutland during raids conducted by federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies. Under federal law, Grant cannot possess firearms due to a prior felony conviction. Authorities allege he possessed a Taurus 9 mm handgun, which was found in a couch in the living room area of the Baxter Street apartment.
Grant had been on parole from New York after a felony conviction in that state, according to court filings. His prior convictions included second-degree assault, a felony, court records state.
Authorities also reported finding hundreds of bags of what they suspect is heroin and a large amount of cash in a black backpack on the same living room couch.
During the raid on a nearby apartment house at the same time, authorities said they found three women behind a padlocked door. The women did not appear to be injured. Police said they were able to interview the women, and a victim witness advocate specializing in human trafficking was at the scene.
Rutland City Police Chief Brian Kilcullen said Tuesday he could not comment on the status of the investigation, referring questions to federal authorities.
Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ophardt, reached Tuesday, said he could not comment if further arrests are expected as a result of the raids.
