Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated Quincy Alexander, 28, of Brooklyn, New York, was charged today in a two-count complaint filed in federal court with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. Alexander is scheduled to appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy at 4:00 p.m. today.

According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, Burlington Police came into contact with Alexander during their investigation of the September 28, 2016, shooting at 31 Hyde Street in Burlington, Vermont. Officers approached Alexander on September 29, 2016, as he was sitting in a vehicle matching the description of the vehicle involved in the shooting. After a trained narcotics dog alerted to the presence of narcotics, law enforcement, working with the Office of the Chittenden County State’s Attorney, obtained a search warrant for the vehicle from the Chittenden County Superior Court. The resulting search located two firearms, a 9 mm pistol and a .38 caliber revolver, and approximately 80 grams of crack cocaine packed for further distribution. During the investigation of the 31 Hyde Street shooting, police recovered 9 mm bullets within residences that had entered the premises through the exterior of the building.

Records checks indicated Alexander had two prior felony convictions for Grand Larceny from New York, prohibiting him from possessing a firearm.

Shortly after his arrest, Alexander complained of chest pains and was taken by Burlington Police to the Emergency Department at UVM Medical Center for treatment. Although he remained handcuffed while in the Emergency Department, Alexander attempted to escape, fleeing his examination room. He was re-apprehended by Burlington Police officers before he could leave the facility.

The complaint filed today is an accusation only and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, Alexander could face up to ten years in prison for his possession of a firearm as a felon, and up to twenty years for his possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine.

“The combination of drugs and guns is a lethal one that has no place in the Burlington community,” United States Attorney Eric Miller said. He commended the Burlington Police Department and the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office for their quick work in apprehending Alexander, and thanked the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for their support of the investigation.

"We will not tolerate gun violence in Burlington and our response to it will always be relentless," said Brandon del Pozo, the Burlington Chief of Police. "I'd like to thank our officers for their fast and thorough search for the suspect's vehicle and the safe and careful work they did once it was located. We're grateful to the US Attorney's office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their assistance. We're fortunate to have this team protecting our city."

Mickey D. Leadingham, Special Agent in Charge, ATF Boston Field Division, stated,"ATF has a strong presence in Burlington, Vermont, and works closely on combating gun violence with the Burlington Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. ATF will continue to build on these relationships in its efforts to curb gun violence, along with the illegal possession of firearms."

AUSA Michael P. Drescher represents the United States. The Office of the Federal Public Defender represents Alexander.

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