Vermont State Police arrest three in Pownal following two-month drug investigation

The Vermont State Police arrested three people in Pownal on Thursday in connection to the sale of cocaine and other charges.

Christopher Daugherty, 38, James Daugherty, 39, and Danica Hill, 34, all three from Pownal, were charged in the investigation, said police.

This followed a two-month drug investigation and execution of a search warrant conducted by detectives with the Vermont Drug Task Force with the assistance of the FBI, Bennington County Sheriff’s Department, and the Bennington Police Department.

Police say the investigation was focused on cocaine distribution at 267 Vien Road in Pownal and involved the use of confidential informants who purchased cocaine from Christopher Daugherty on three separate occasions.

During the search, police encountered all three individuals, and the search revealed evidence of drug use, multiple firearms, including a loaded handgun.

State Police say Christopher Daugherty was charged with three counts of sale of cocaine, and was initially held on $5,000 bail and jailed at the Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility. He was arraigned on Friday in Superior Court in Bennington, pleaded not guilty, provided an unsecured appearance bond of $5,000, and released on certain conditions.

James Daugherty was charged with possession of a controlled substance.

Danica Hill was charged with conspiracy.

James Daugherty and Hill were released with citations to appear in Vermont Superior Court in Bennington on November 4.

Police say all three are being prosecuted by the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Vermont State Police say anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101 or submit a tip anonymously.