A 37-year-old Colchester man was sentenced on Monday in U.S. District Court in Burlington on drug charges.
Carl Martin will serve 48 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
The sentencing follows Martin’s conviction in June 2022, when a federal jury in Burlington found Martin guilty of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and guilty on four counts of distribution of cocaine, acquitting Martin of a sixth charge related to trading a firearm for cocaine. An undercover law enforcement officer reportedly bought cocaine from Martin on several occasions between July and October 2019, prosecutors said.
Chandler Matson, who represented Martin, said Martin is appealing the case.
“The government’s investigation revealed a great quantity of fake substances, as opposed to real controlled substances,” Matson said.
Police have said Martin was also involved in a shooting in front of Nectar’s Bar on Main Street in Burlington in February 2018. According to public records, just before the shooting, Martin punched another person, Rashad Nashid, in the face, pointing a gun at him. In response, Nashid fired a gun at Martin, which hit and seriously wounded an innocent bystander.
Nashid received a 150-month sentence, pleading guilty to two counts of owning a firearm as a convicted felon. Martin was not charged for his involvement in the altercation.
“Federal prosecutors in Vermont are working hard every day to enforce federal firearm laws,” United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest said. “Prosecution of firearm-related offenses is at the top of our priority list. We appreciate the dedication of our many law enforcement partners in these cases including the investigation and prosecution of Carl Martin.”
