Orleans County drug conspirator handed 16 year prison sentence

NEWPORT –– Dante Flowers Jr., 30, previously from Hartford, Connecticut, was handed down a 200-month prison term by the U.S. District Court in Burlington for his involvement in a drug conspiracy and a firearm-related crime. The sentencing came yesterday, with U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss also mandating a three-year supervised release upon Flowers Jr.’s completion of his prison term.

Court records show that, in 2020, Flowers Jr., also known by the nickname “Fresh,” conspired with two others, Jayquan Flintroy “Jay” and Dante Flowers Sr. aka “Pops,” to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl in Orleans County. The group frequently employed firearms and violence to intimidate and control people, such as their clientele and local drug distributors.

A particular incident from October 15, 2020, stands out, where Flowers Jr., accompanied by Flowers Sr., violently attacked a man in Derby, over an alleged drug money disagreement. The assault resulted in rendering the man a paraplegic. Presently, the victim remains paralyzed, having limited functionality in his arms and none in the lower half of his body.

Despite this assault, the drug dealings of Flowers Jr. and his accomplices continued. On November 30, 2020, the trio found themselves in a confrontation at a Wendy’s Restaurant parking lot in Newport, leading to Flowers Sr. getting shot in the leg.

Both Flowers Jr. and Flintroy were apprehended following the shooting incident. Though Flowers Sr. made a recovery from his gunshot wound, he too was eventually arrested. Both he and Flintroy have since pleaded guilty in federal court for their roles in the drug conspiracy and the firearm offense. Their sentencing is pending.

The investigation of this case saw collaborations between multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Vermont State Police, Newport Police Department, Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Marshal Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine, United States Border Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations.