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Eight people were arrested in a drug raid in Bennington, including an armed fugitive from Connecticut

BENNINGTON, Vt. (WRGB) – Eight people – six from Vermont, two from Connecticut – face drug and other charges following a multi-agency search in Bennington on Wednesday.

On September 25, 2024, members of the Bennington Police Department, with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations, Vermont National Guard Counterdrug, the Bennington County Prosecutor's Office, the Bennington County Sheriff's Office and the United Counseling Service, executed a search warrant at 527 South Street in the city from Bennington. A total of eight criminals were taken into custody during the execution of the arrest warrant.

While executing the warrant, officers encountered Jordan Feliciano on the second floor of the residence. He was armed with a Glock 17 pistol with a 27-round extension magazine. Feliciano threw the firearm away from him after making contact with police officers. Additional evidence collected included fentanyl, cocaine, prescription painkillers, digital scales, approximately $5,000.00 in U.S. currency, an additional loaded 27-round magazine, and manufacturing and packaging materials.

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Feliciano and seven other offenders were taken into custody without further incident. They were charged as follows:

  • Darren Dwyer, age 33, Bennington, VT – Charged with: Conspiracy, Cruelty to Children, Possession/Control of Regulated Drugs *Released under citation for appearance
  • Amanda Gibbons, age 40, Bennington, VT – charged with: Conspiracy, Cruelty to Children, Possession/Control of Regulated Drugs *Released under citation for appearance
  • Tia Woodin, 40, Bennington, VT – Arrested on a State Warrant *Housed at Marble Valley Correctional
  • Kayla Willette, age 34, Bennington, VT – Charged with: Violating Conditions of Release *Released with citation for appearance
  • Billie Jean Adams, age 30, Pownal, VT – Charged with: Selling/Dispensing 4+ mg of Fentanyl, Possession of Cocaine *Released under citation for appearance
  • Nathan Silva, age 33, Bennington, VT-Charged with: Possession of Cocaine, Selling/Dispensing Fentanyl 4+mg *Published under citation for appearance
  • Reina Sosa, age 19, New Britain, CT-Charged with: Trafficking in fentanyl more than 70 mg, Possession of cocaine more than 2.5 grams, Conspiracy, Manufacture or cultivation of regulated drugs, Large capacity ammunition feeding devices, Cruelty to children *On bond of $300,000.00
  • Jordan Feliciano – Fugitive from Justice, Age 31, Harford, CT – Charged with: Fentanyl Trafficking, Conspiracy, Manufacture or Cultivation of Regulated Drugs, Possession of a Dangerous Weapon During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of Cocaine More Than 2.5 Grams, Supply of Large Ammunition Equipment Manufacturing , possession, sale, purchase, cruelty to children, persons prohibited from owning firearms. *Hold on $500,000.00 bail

During the search of the apartment, officers managed to safely remove three children under the age of ten from the apartment and take them to a safe place. The children met with a crisis physician while they waited for a family member to arrive.

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A vehicle under the control of Jordan Feliciano was seized at the scene and impounded pending a search warrant. A search warrant was executed Thursday that resulted in the seizure of a loaded 50-round drum magazine for a Glock 17. A replica pistol that resembled a real firearm was also found in the vehicle.

According to the Bennington Police Department, Feliciano is a fugitive from justice in the state of Connecticut and is wanted for probation violations related to drug and weapons offenses. He is also wanted in Windham County, Vermont, on gun and drug charges.

The arraignment of Feliciano and Sosa took place Thursday in Vermont Superior Court – Bennington Criminal Division. Feliciano was held without bail and Sosa was held on $10,000 bail.

The New England State Police Information Network Intel Unit also provided real-time assistance in identifying out-of-state offenders and was in contact with Fusion Centers in North Carolina and Florida as part of these investigations.

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