Three Individuals Charged in Drug Conspiracy Involving Juveniles
Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on October 18, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a 14-count superseding indictment against Rockylane Lewis (who is also known as “Rizzo,” “Rocko,” or “Rockout,”), 33, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Aisha Davy, 36, of Springfield, Massachusetts; and Holly Howard, 49, of Brattleboro, Vermont. The indictment charges Lewis, Davy, and Howard with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base. Lewis and Davy are also charged with conspiracy to employ and use persons under eighteen years of age to distribute fentanyl and cocaine base, and conspiracy to use and possess firearms during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Lewis is additionally charged with three counts of distributing controlled substances, five counts of employing and using persons under eighteen years of age to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of using and possessing firearms during and in relation to drug trafficking crimes, and one count of possession of a firearm while knowing that he was a fugitive from justice. The indictment references three separate juveniles that Lewis is charged with involving in the distribution of controlled substances in Vermont. Howard is additionally charged with allowing her hotel room at the Rodeway Inn on Woodstock Avenue in Rutland, Vermont, to be used for the distribution of a controlled substance.
According to court records, on June 21, 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant in Rutland, Vermont, during which Lewis was encountered and arrested. During the search of the apartment in which Lewis was located, law enforcement seized a black 9mm Ruger SR9c handgun, over 55 grams of bulk fentanyl, and a gram of cocaine base. Lewis was previously arraigned on three counts of distribution of controlled substances on July 6, 2023 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle and was ordered detained pending trial. Lewis will be arraigned today on the additional charges in the October 18, 2023, indictment via video conference with United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle.
Davy was arrested on October 24, 2023, in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was arraigned on November 1, 2023, before Magistrate Judge Doyle, and was released pursuant to conditions pending trial.
Howard was arrested on November 2, 2023, in Brattleboro, Vermont. She was arraigned on November 3, 2023, before Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey Crawford. Howard was released pursuant to conditions pending trial.
The indictment is an accusation only, and Lewis, Davy, and Howard are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. If convicted, Lewis and Davy face a maximum sentence of 40 years' imprisonment, while Howard faces a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentences in the case will be determined by the court with reference to the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations and the Rutland City Police Department for their coordinated investigation. He also thanked the Vermont State Police Narcotics Investigation Unit, the Ludlow Police Department, the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, the Rutland Office of Vermont Probation and Parole, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for their vital assistance.
The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Jason Turner and Jonathan Ophardt. Lewis is represented by Jordana Levine, Esq., Davy is represented by Natasha Sen, Esq., and Howard is represented by Chandler Matson, Esq.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn .
