Pownal, Vermont Woman Sentenced to 46 Months in Drug Conspiracy

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on April 15, 2026, Samantha Danforth, 36, of Pownal, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 46 months' imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Danforth previously pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base and Fentanyl.

According to court records, between February and July of 2022, Danforth conspired with William McLaughlin to distribute cocaine base and fentanyl in and around Bennington, Vermont. As part of the conspiracy, Danforth sold drugs for McLaughlin, acted as his driver, accompanied him to obtain drugs from New York, assisted in cooking crack and packaging drugs for sale, possessed firearms, and at times supported McLaughlin's violence and acted as his enforcer. McLaughlin was particularly violent, and Danforth witnessed many of McLaughlin's worst acts of violence, which included attempting to suffocate a woman by holding a plastic bag around her head. After McLaughlin was arrested for a stabbing, Danforth continued to sell drugs on McLaughlin's behalf and assisted him in continuing his criminal activities from prison. Danforth also worked to obstruct the prosecution of McLaughlin for the stabbing by obtaining a false recantation of the victim's accusation.

McLaughlin, 47, of Hoosick Falls, New York, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Cocaine Base and Fentanyl on July 17, 2025. McLaughlin's sentencing is currently scheduled for July 30, 2026. A third conspirator, Keahnard Rowell, 36, of New York, New York, received a 60-month sentence of imprisonment on November 19, 2025.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, the Bennington Police Department, the Rutland City Police Department, the Vermont State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Corinne Smith and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf. Danforth was represented by Heather Ross, Esq.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.