Vermont State Police On September 13, 2018, the Vermont Drug Task Force and the Federal Bureau of Investigation arrested James E. O'Dell in Bennington and executed a federal search warrant at his Bennington home. O'Dell's arrest came after a drug investigation which began in 2017. During the investigation, O'Dell was identified as a significant source of cocaine in Bennington, Vermont. On four separate occasions, O'Dell delivered cocaine to Robin S. Buell who was selling the cocaine to a confidential informant during controlled buys under the supervision of the Vermont Drug Task Force.
During the execution of the federal search warrant at O'Dell's home, law enforcement seized approximately 360 grams of cocaine base and 386 grams of powder cocaine totaling approximately three quarters of a kilogram. Law enforcement also seized 4 lbs. 6.5 oz. of marijuana. The total approximate street value of the cocaine seized from O'Dell's residence is $74,600. A search of one of O'Dell's vehicles yielded a total of $24,961.00 in cash.
O'Dell was lodged at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility and later turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. O'Dell appeared in U.S. District Court in Burlington on September 14, 2018 to answer to the charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and conspiracy to distribute powder cocaine. O'Dell was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and scheduled to appear again on September 18, 2018. On September 18, 2018, O'Dell was released on pre-trial conditions that include, but are not limited to surrendering his passport, drug testing, and reporting regularly to pretrial services.
On September 17, 2018, Robin Buell was arrested at his home in Bennington by the Vermont State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Buell appeared in U.S. District Court in Burlington on September 18, 2018 and was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. On September 19, 2018, Buell was released on pretrial conditions that include, but are not limited to drug testing, and reporting regularly to pretrial services.
Members from the Vermont State Police Field Force in Shaftsbury, Bennington Police Department, and the Bennington County Sheriff's Department assisted with the arrests and execution of the federal search warrant. O'Dell and Buell are being prosecuted by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont.
DATE/TIME: September 13, 2018 & September 17, 2018
LOCATION: Bennington
ACCUSED: James E. O'Dell
AGE: 54
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont
VIOLATION: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and powder cocaine
Court Date: September 14, 2018 & September 18, 2018
ACCUSED: Robin S. Buell
AGE: 52
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Bennington, Vermont
VIOLATION: Conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and powder cocaine
Court Date: September 18, 2018 & September 19, 2018