NEWPORT — Samuel Fuller, 33, of Orleans, and James Bassett, 40, of North Troy, have each pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute illegal narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine base.
According to court records, Luis Luna, 28, and Edwin Martinez, 26, both of Hartford, Connecticut, have also pleaded guilty to the charges.
Fuller will be sentenced on May 11, and Bassett on April 20.
The drug crimes all four defendants have pleaded guilty to carry 5-year mandatory minimum sentences and maximum sentences of 40 years.
All four defendants pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.
In addition, Fuller and Luna pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to distribute more than 28 grams of cocaine base.
According to court records, Martinez was Luna’s fentanyl source and Luna, in turn, supplied Fuller with the fentanyl.
Fuller would split the fentanyl with Bassett, who provided the money for the purchase.
Investigators say every two weeks or so, Fuller would collect money from Bassett, then order specific amounts of illegal drugs, including fentanyl and cocaine base.
Fuller would drive to Hartford, Connecticut where he would meet Luna at various locations.
Police say Fuller would drive back to Vermont, split the fentanyl with Bassett, and they would each sell fentanyl to Vermonters.
Bassett and Fuller had a customer base in the Northeast Kingdom, primarily in Caledonia and Orleans counties, police say.
