Deven Moffitt, 32, of Bennington was charged June 3 with three federal felonies: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances; possession of a firearm having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a prison term of more than a year; and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to a federal court affidavit, on Wednesday, June 1, Moffitt fled as police tried to arrest him in connection with his prosecution by the Bennington County State’s Attorney relating to the 2019 murder of Jessica Hildenbrandt, the U.S. Attorney’s office said. As Moffitt was trying to flee from police, a witness observed him place a bag inside a trash container. A search of that bag revealed more than 3,000 bags of suspected fentanyl, and distribution quantities of powder and crack cocaine. Within the bag, police also found two loaded handguns. When Moffitt was apprehended, police also found that he was in possession of more than $16,000 in cash.
Moffitt is currently in the custody of the State of Vermont in connection with the murder charge. The date of his initial appearance in federal court has not been set.
If convicted of all the charged federal offenses, Moffitt faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of five years and up to lifetime incarceration.