Arrest in Rockingham shooting
Two accused drug dealers are accused of employing three juveniles as part of their trafficking operation, federal court documents say.
On October 18, a federal grand jury returned a 14-count indictment against Rockylane Lewis (who is also known as “Rizzo,” “Rocko,” or “Rockout,”), 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Aisha Davy, 36, of Springfield, Massachusetts; and Holly Howard, 49, of Brattleboro.
The indictment charges Lewis, Davy, and Howard with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. Lewis and Davy are also charged with conspiracy to employ persons under eighteen years of age to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, and conspiracy to use and possess firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.
Lewis is additionally charged with three counts of drug dealing, five counts of employing and using persons under eighteen years of age to deal drugs, one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of using and possessing firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes, and one count of possession of a firearm while knowing that he was a fugitive from justice.
The indictment references three separate juveniles that Lewis is charged with involving in the distribution of controlled substances. Howard is additionally charged with allowing her hotel room at the Rodeway Inn on Woodstock Avenue in Rutland to be used for drug dealing.
According to court records, on June 21, law enforcement executed a search warrant in Rutland, Vermont, during which Lewis was encountered and arrested. During the search of the apartment in which Lewis was located, law enforcement seized a black 9mm Ruger SR9c handgun, over 55 grams of bulk fentanyl, and a gram of cocaine base.
Lewis was previously arraigned on three counts of distribution of controlled substances on July 6, 2023 before Judge Kevin J. Doyle and was ordered detained pending trial. Lewis will be arraigned today on the additional charges in the October 18, indictment via video conference with Doyle.
Davy was arrested on October 24 in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was arraigned on November 1, before Doyle, and was released pursuant to conditions pending trial.
Howard was arrested on November 2, in Brattleboro. She was arraigned on November 3 before Judge Geoffrey Crawford. Howard was released pursuant to conditions pending trial.
Federal law gives judges three options in dealing with juvenile offenders: 1) refer to state authorities, 2) begin delinquency proceedings, or 3) in serious cases, try the (under-18 when alleged crime was committed) youth as an adult.
Life-threatening gunshot wound in Rockingham – A man was critically injured in a shooting incident on Monday night, according to the Vermont State Police. Police have arrested a suspect, Burton Lewis Clark Jr., 72, who resides in the home at 39 Hartley Hill Rd. in Rockingham where the shooting took place.
Clark was arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder, first-degree aggravated domestic assault with a deadly weapon, and reckless endangerment. He was ordered jailed without bail at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield pending arraignment, which is expected to be held at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Brattleboro.
Authorities received a call just before 6 p.m., about a shooting at a residence on Hartley Hill Road near the intersection with Westminster West Road. Upon arrival, first responders found an adult male with life-threatening injuries.
He received immediate aid and was transported to Springfield Hospital. Later, the victim was transferred to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, for further treatment.
Investigators believe the incident was isolated and assert there is no ongoing threat to the public. The names of the victim is being withheld pending further investigation and family notifications.
The investigation, led by the Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations, Field Force Division, Crime Scene Search Team, and Victim Services Unit, is still in the preliminary phase. State Police are urging anyone with information relevant to the case to contact the Westminster barracks at 802-722-4600.