Former Hartford Man Sentenced to Nearly 17 Years for Violent Drug Trafficking in Vermont

A former Hartford, Conn. man, who came to Vermont with his father to set up a violent drug trafficking business in the Northeast Kingdom has been sentenced to almost 17 years in federal prison. Dante Flowers Jr., 30, and his co-conspirators carried firearms and used violence to threaten and control drug customers and others during the conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl between January 2020 and November 2020.  Flowers and his father, Dante “Pops” Flowers Sr., 48, tried to kill a man at his Derby Mobile Home Park on Oct. 13, 2020, reportedly for a dispute over drug money.  Flowers conspired with his dad, and Jayquan “Jay” Flintroy, 28, also of Hartford, Conn. and others to distribute crack cocaine and fentanyl in the Orleans County area starting in 2020, court records show.  At least seven people have been convicted as part he investigation into illegal trafficking of drugs and guns and other crimes.