A man involved in an altercation that led to a near-fatal shooting outside Nectar’s nightclub in Burlington last year is now facing firearms and drug trafficking charges in federal court.
Carl Martin, 34, of Colchester, was one of two men who got into a confrontation with Rashad Nashid at Nectar’s in February 2018. As the argument escalated, Martin allegedly punched Nashid and pulled a gun on him directly before Nashid opened fire, striking a bystander.
Nashid was charged, and this summer reached a plea deal in the shooting. Martin, however, was not prosecuted, against the recommendation of city police.
This week, Martin was arrested after a years-long drug investigation by federal agents, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont.
Martin appeared in U.S. District Court in Burlington Thursday on charges related to allegations that he regularly sold cocaine to an undercover Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent from July to December of 2017. On Wednesday, prosecutors say, he traded cocaine to the officer for a semi-automatic pistol. Martin pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The officer met with Martin many times over several months to purchase the cocaine, usually for $70-80 per gram, court papers say. According to an affidavit, the meetings typically took place at a McDonald’s restaurant in Colchester. The officer purchased the drug two to three times per week for several months, the affidavit notes.
Martin eventually asked to buy a gun from the undercover officer in exchange for cocaine. Martin asked for a 0.357 caliber gun, but agreed to a 0.38 caliber when the officer told him that’s all he had, the affidavit noted.
On Wednesday, the officer met Martin, giving him the gun and $3,900 cash in exchange for what appeared to be more than 2 ounces of coke, the affidavit states.
As soon as the deal was completed and the undercover agent had left the scene, other law enforcement officers arrested Martin and his driver and alleged accomplice, Mirnes Julardzija.
Magistrate Judge John Conroy ruled that Martin be held by the U.S. Marshals Service until a hearing could be held Monday afternoon, according to court documents.
Martin faces a maximum of life imprisonment if convicted of possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, a minimum sentence of five years, and up to a $250,000 fine. He and Julardziga also face up to 20 years for distributing cocaine.
Julardzija, 33, who prosecutors allege aided in a cocaine sale to the undercover officer in September, is facing charges for cocaine distribution. After appearing in court Thursday, he was released from custody pending a hearing next month.
“The mix of drugs and guns creates grave public safety risks, particularly where, as here, it occurs in areas of high pedestrian foot traffic. Those who traffic guns in connection with the drug trade should consider themselves targets for federal investigation and prosecution,” U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan said in a statement.
After the shooting outside Nectar’s, Chittenden County State’s Attorney Sarah Fair George’s decision not to prosecute Martin of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and aggravated disorderly conduct, as police recommended, prompted criticism from public officials, including Mayor Miro Weinberger and Police Chief Brandon del Pozo.
“Mr. Martin’s actions were irresponsible, dangerous and injudicious,” George wrote at the time. “However, given the totality of the circumstances, his actions were not criminal.”
Del Pozo responded by saying he thought a “courtroom of Vermonters” should have made that decision.
“The consequences were too serious for the city to accept his word without a judicial process,” Del Pozo said. “Nashid and the Martin brothers had a simmering dispute, and it culminated in near-fatal violence on a Main Street sidewalk.”
After Martin was charged Thursday, Del Pozo commended the work of the prosecution on the case.
“Allegedly trading cocaine for a firearm is the type of behavior that makes Vermont a more dangerous place on several levels,” he said, praising the collaborative work of state and federal law enforcement.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Man involved in Nectar’s shooting faces federal drug, gun charges.