Saratoga County drug dealer gets 10 years in prison for selling crack/cocaine.
Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy, III announced today that Christopher M. Vanguilder , 47, of 1617 Route 9, Lot 7, Moreau, was sentenced today to 5 years in state prison plus 3 years of post-release supervision for a sale that occurred on April 26, 2013 at 2:30 pm, and 5 years in state prison plus 3 years of post-release supervision for a second sale on that same day that occurred at 4:30 pm. The Judge ordered that those two sentences run consecutively, meaning one after the other, which means the total number of years of incarceration in a state prison is 10 plus 6 years post release supervision.
The charges stemmed from a sting operation conducted by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Drug Unit on April 26, 2013.
The Sheriff’s Department Drug Unit learned through sources and investigation that Vanguilder was cooperating with and harboring drug dealers from New York City, essentially allowing them to open up shop in his home for local distribution. Through the trial, testimony was offered that the defendant would facilitate the deals with his contacts locally.
DA Murphy said “Assistant DA Ashdown set forth a compelling case for consecutive sentences and I think Judge Scarano should be commended for sending a strong message of punishment and deterrence.”
Assistant DA Jesse Ashdown said at the time of sentencing “once these cases go to trial the identity of the confidential informant is divulged as are certain investigative techniques. In addition the defendant was convicted for virtually the same criminal conduct in 2004 and less than 10 years later is doing the exact same thing.”
Vanguilder had a previous Felony conviction from Warren County in 2004 for Possession with Intent to Sell a Controlled substance and received a sentence of from 3-6 years in state prison.
DA Murphy stated that The sting operation also netted one of the drug dealers, Sadie A. Willis, 25, of 333 Martense St., Brooklyn, and she is currently serving a state prison term at Albion Correctional Facility in Orleans County. Mr. Murphy also praised the work of the Saratoga County Sheriff Michael Zurlo.