By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Drugs and weapons continue to be cleared from the streets in Springfield, as a man was arrested last week for allegedly trafficking fentanyl while in possession of a gun with the serial number scratched off.
Brandon Kenney, 27, of Springfield, Vt., was arrested on Jan. 20 and charged with Arrest on instate warrant; Fentanyl Trafficking (felony); Persons prohibited from possessing firearms; Defacing of a firearm serial number (felony); Probation-Parole violation; False information to a police officer; Possession of dangerous weapon during the commission of a felony (felony).
According to information provided by the Windsor County Superior Court, on Jan. 20 at 2:19 p.m., Springfield police officers were traveling on Park Street when they saw a vehicle pass by with no front registration or inspection sticker displayed. Police turned around and followed the car, attempting to initiate a traffic stop, but the vehicle turned into Pine Street and parked in a handicap space at a closed business.
Police allege that a female operator was seen getting out of the car and walking onto the front porch. Officers recognized her as a “known narcotics user,” according to a report by the Springfield Police Department.
Officers then initiated what they called a “consensual encounter,” which Springfield Police Chief Jeff Burnham explained is when an officer will talk to someone without detaining them. The officers ultimately spoke with a male passenger in the car, who was later identified as Kenney.
The probable cause affidavit provided by the courts stated that he said his name was Andrew Kenney, but officers knew him through previous encounters.
“Brandon is known by officers to use fake means of identification to conceal his true identity, the report stated. “When Brandon was initially confronted he provided a fake name and date of birth. Once officers were able to confirm his identity as Brandon, it was confirmed that he had an active instate arrest warrant.”
The court records stated that when police told Kenney he was under arrest, Kenney tensed up and attempted to run away.
Officers reportedly tried to take Kenney into custody, but he resisted and it resulted in a “use of force” by police. He was arrested and found to be in possession of a loaded SW380 Smith and Wesson handgun that had a defaced serial number. The gun was located on his right hip.
It was discovered that due to Kenney’s criminal history, he was not able to possess a firearm, and that he was currently on probation for prior offenses. Kenney was convicted of Burglary into an Occupied Dwelling on Jan. 10, 2017
Police searched Kenney and found he was allegedly in possession of 1.21 grams (1,210 milligrams) of fentanyl and other trafficking paraphernalia. The drugs were allegedly in his front pocket and he uttered that it was for “personal use.” The affidavit said the baggie contained a purple powdery substance that Kenney admitted was fentanyl. The seized fentanyl was bulk packaged in loose powdery form, which police say is known to be a means of trafficking.
The affidavit stated that Kenney verbally granted consent to search his fanny pack, which contained paraphernalia and items police identified as trafficking materials.
The Springfield Police Department released a photograph of what was seized, which included two cell phones, a scale, a knife, a gun, alcohol wipes, glass pipes, rapid response drug tests, torches, multiple tools and other items associated with drug use.
While most fentanyl and heroin is brown in color, the affidavit stated that there has been purple fentanyl seized in Springfield.
Kenney was processed at the Springfield Police Department and was issued a citation to appear in Windsor County Superior Court, Criminal division, Windsor Unit on Jan. 21. He was then taken to Southern State Correctional Facility and lodged in lieu of $20,000 bail.