BRATTLEBORO, VT (MyKeeneNow) A Connecticut man accused of orchestrating a murder-for-hire plot while trafficking drugs in Vermont and Massachusetts is now facing federal charges, according to court documents filed in U.S. District Court in Burlington.

Tremaine “Brody” Knight, 43, allegedly sought to pay a confidential informant $10,000 to kill a man he claimed had stolen a kilogram of cocaine from him. Federal prosecutors say Knight also supplied the informant with cocaine and fentanyl during multiple controlled drug buys in February and March, two of which took place in Brattleboro.

Murder-for-Hire Allegations

Authorities say the plot unfolded during the first recorded drug sale, when Knight allegedly proposed the killing in exchange for cash and a reduced drug debt. Subsequent interactions reportedly solidified the plan, with Knight showing the informant a photo of the intended target and promising to signal when the hit should occur. He allegedly offered a $1,000 discount on the informant’s drug debt as a down payment for the murder.

Law enforcement intervened before any act of violence took place, arresting Knight on March 19 after the final controlled drug buy in Brattleboro.

Extensive Criminal Record and Drug Charges

Knight, who has prior convictions for drug distribution, firearms offenses, and violent crimes, now faces multiple federal charges, including use of interstate commerce facilities for murder-for-hire and distribution of controlled substances. Prosecutors allege that over the course of five monitored transactions, Knight distributed approximately 600 grams of powder cocaine, 30 grams of crack cocaine, and 140 grams of fentanyl.

According to an affidavit from Vermont State Trooper Zachary Van Valkenburgh, Knight operated in the I-91 corridor, a known drug trafficking route bringing narcotics from Connecticut and Massachusetts into Vermont. During a recorded drug transaction on March 11, Knight allegedly supplied cocaine and fentanyl at a Brattleboro business in the Market 32 Shopping Center, where the informant wore an electronic recording device.

Federal officials highlight Windham County’s ongoing struggles with drug-related crime, noting that it has the highest overdose rate per capita in Vermont, as cited in a 2023 legislative report. Brattleboro has consistently recorded drug violation rates above both the state and national averages in recent years.

Detention and Legal Proceedings

Prosecutors argue that Knight poses a significant danger to the community and should remain in custody pending trial. The court documents outline his history of supervised release violations and prior sentences for assault and strangulation.

Knight appeared in federal court in Burlington for his initial hearing, where a judge ordered his detention until trial. He is set to be arraigned later this week on charges that could carry a minimum of five years in prison for drug distribution and up to ten years for the murder-for-hire allegations.