Dean Gero, 54, formerly of Brattleboro, was sentenced Oct. 28 in United States District Court in Rutland in connection with his drug trafficking activity. Judge Geoffrey Crawford sentenced Gero to a time-served term of incarceration and three years of supervised release.

According to court records, in April 2019 Gero sold fentanyl-laced heroin in his apartment at 50 Central Street in Brattleboro. Gero also hosted drug traffickers at the residence in early 2020, providing them a place to cook, store and sell their narcotics. In March 2020, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the 50 Central Street residence and found about 38 grams of cocaine base as well as a handgun and a magazine containing live ammunition.

Gero initially was arrested on Aug. 20, 2020. On Aug. 28, 2020, Gero was released on conditions including a requirement he attend residential treatment for substance misuse, with additional outpatient counseling as recommended by the United States Probation Office to follow. On Jan. 22, Gero pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl and remained on release conditions until his sentencing.