Unregistered4245632
06-29-2009, 02:28 PM
BURLINGTON, Vt. - A former University of Vermont fraternity president from Copiague who helped run a cocaine ring won't have to go to prison, a judge ruled Monday.
Christopher Duncan, 25, was sentenced Monday to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and six months of home confinement after pleading guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute the drug.
Duncan, head of the school's Lambda Iota fraternity during the 2006-2007 school year, allowed drug paraphernalia and money to be stored in a safe in his frat house bedroom and that he helped broker drug deals, prosecutors said.
U.S. District Judge William Sessions III called him "naive" but said his role was minor. He said Duncan had earned his freedom by rehabilitating himself and agreeing to cooperate in the prosecutions of two others.
Police raided the house in April 2007 - days before Duncan was to graduate.
U.S. District Judge William Sessions III said a prison term wasn't appropriate, given Duncan's agreement to cooperate in the prosecutions of co-defendant Bent Cardan and Allen Page.
Page, the alleged supplier from New Haven, Conn., was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in the ring. Cardan, of Burlington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is awaiting sentencing.
Sessions noted that Duncan's take from the deals he helped arrange was $5 to $10 apiece.
"This is not the kind of professional drug conspiracy I'm used to seeing here," he said. "It shows your lack of serious involvement and your absolute naivete, frankly."
Duncan, the son of an attorney who worked for the Nassau County district attorney's office before his death, was described by his lawyer, Richard Fish, as a "stupid, naive kid" with no prior record who got into drugs while in college.
Duncan said as much in court, apologizing for what he'd done.
"While in college, I lived a life of decadence and debauchery,"
he told the judge before sentencing.
Federal prosecutor Heather Ross did not recommend a prison term during the hearing.
The federal government has filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to seize the former fraternity house, because it was used to facilitate drug trafficking.
I was not long into this story while wondering who this guy knew. The it comes out he is the son of a former NASSAU ADA. Then I read one of Barry O's prosecutors does not recommend prison.
Does anyone see what is going on in America?
Christopher Duncan, 25, was sentenced Monday to two years of probation, 100 hours of community service, and six months of home confinement after pleading guilty in March to conspiracy to distribute the drug.
Duncan, head of the school's Lambda Iota fraternity during the 2006-2007 school year, allowed drug paraphernalia and money to be stored in a safe in his frat house bedroom and that he helped broker drug deals, prosecutors said.
U.S. District Judge William Sessions III called him "naive" but said his role was minor. He said Duncan had earned his freedom by rehabilitating himself and agreeing to cooperate in the prosecutions of two others.
Police raided the house in April 2007 - days before Duncan was to graduate.
U.S. District Judge William Sessions III said a prison term wasn't appropriate, given Duncan's agreement to cooperate in the prosecutions of co-defendant Bent Cardan and Allen Page.
Page, the alleged supplier from New Haven, Conn., was sentenced to 70 months in prison for his role in the ring. Cardan, of Burlington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine. He is awaiting sentencing.
Sessions noted that Duncan's take from the deals he helped arrange was $5 to $10 apiece.
"This is not the kind of professional drug conspiracy I'm used to seeing here," he said. "It shows your lack of serious involvement and your absolute naivete, frankly."
Duncan, the son of an attorney who worked for the Nassau County district attorney's office before his death, was described by his lawyer, Richard Fish, as a "stupid, naive kid" with no prior record who got into drugs while in college.
Duncan said as much in court, apologizing for what he'd done.
"While in college, I lived a life of decadence and debauchery,"
he told the judge before sentencing.
Federal prosecutor Heather Ross did not recommend a prison term during the hearing.
The federal government has filed a civil forfeiture complaint seeking to seize the former fraternity house, because it was used to facilitate drug trafficking.
I was not long into this story while wondering who this guy knew. The it comes out he is the son of a former NASSAU ADA. Then I read one of Barry O's prosecutors does not recommend prison.
Does anyone see what is going on in America?