Colchester man arraigned on related charges yesterday

Dominique Troupe, 36, of Colchester, was arraigned in federal court Wednesday Jan. 11 in connection to gun and drug crimes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Troupe is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base, one count of aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during and in relation to the drug conspiracy, one count of conspiring to commit a robbery of drugs and money by threat of force, and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base.

According to court documents, the first three counts against Troupe relate to the February 2, 2022 shooting death of Elijah Oliver in Swanton. In its motion seeking Troupe’s detention, the U.S. Attorney asserts that Troupe was a primary source of supply for crack cocaine being sold out of a residence on River Street in Swanton, and that Oliver was a rival Swanton drug dealer. According to the detention motion, to protect their crack cocaine distribution operation, Troupe and others implemented a plan to carry out an armed robbery of Oliver, seeking to steal drugs and money, and during the attempted robbery Oliver was shot and killed.

Elijah Oliver a Massachusetts gang member, Feb. 3 2022 Vermont Daily Chronicle

Troupe has been in federal custody since his September 7, 2022 arrest for possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base. In today’s hearing, a federal judge ordered Troupe to remain detained during the pendency of the prosecution. Troupe and his co-defendants will have until March 20 to file pre-trial motions.

If Troupe is convicted of all charges, he will face a mandatory minimum 15-year prison sentence, with a maximum possible sentence of life. Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office.