Good Times Gallery owner Derek Spilman pleaded guilty Monday to conspiracy and gun charges stemming from a January drug bust at his former Church Street shop in exchange for a prison sentence of up to three years.
As part of his plea agreement, Spilman would also forfeit $50,000 in proceeds from the under-the-table marijuana business he ran from his head shop across Church Street from Burlington City Hall.
U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss said she would decide whether to accept the agreement at a December sentencing hearing.
Spilman, 44, was initially charged with distributing pot and possessing a gun while doing so. But as the case was pending, he and two of his family members racked up charges of intimidating a witness. Prosecutors said Spilman smeared dog feces on a neighboring storefront and asked a relative to take the fall.
Spilman’s nephew, Derek Aviles, testified in February on behalf of his uncle that Aviles committed the vandalism. He even displayed the jacket worn at the time. But surveillance video appeared to show that Spilman was the one who did it, prosecutors said.
On Monday, Spilman also pleaded guilty to conspiring to obstruct the earlier judicial hearing — a charge that carried a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The January raid occurred as Seven Days prepared to publish a story about Spilman’s illicit pot business, which operated for months before federal agents acted.
The feds have subsequently cracked down on another Burlington business for selling weed. Ridin’ High owners John Van Hazinga and Samantha Steady were indicted last week on charges that they grew marijuana at their home and sold it from their skate shop across the street from Battery Park.
Steady’s attorney criticized the government for using its resources to investigate and prosecute pot dealers.
Ridin’ High has remained open. Good Times Gallery closed.
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“As part of his plea agreement, Spilman would also forfeit $50,000 in proceeds ” And there it is… Policing for profits in Vermont. Wonder who’s going to be walking off with that money? Stolen from a man duped into pleading guilty to a non-crime where there was no damaged party & nobody claiming injury by his actions. Just Malum Prohibitum statutory Bull$hit.
Selling pot retail is illegal. Selling drugs to minors is illegal. Intimidating witnesses is illegal. Threatening people with guns is illegal. Not paying tax on income (when others have to) is illegal. Play stupid games and win stupid prizes.
Great work to the hard working law enforcement officers!
Now does his nephew and family members face contempt of court charges? I would think so for lying under oath..
Spilman should consider himself fortunate that his crimes were in Vermont . I’m betting his prison sentence of UP TO three years would be more like 30 years in some states . Three years seems about right .