PUTNEY, VT — Two men face fentanyl trafficking charges following a trespassing investigation that led to the discovery of drugs and a loaded firearm.
On Nov. 8, deputies with the Windham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of trespassing at an address on Shag Bark Hill.
When deputies arrived, they located a vehicle attempting to leave the property and made contact with two males identified as Michael Sykie, 45, of Charlestown, New Hampshire, and Joshua Snide, 40, of Chester.
While speaking with both occupants, deputies observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.
Both occupants denied consent to search the vehicle, and the vehicle was subsequently seized pending the application of a search warrant.
Sykie and Snide were then issued a criminal citation for unlawful trespass and released from the scene.
On Nov. 14, deputies executed a court-approved search warrant on the seized vehicle and located several containers and a plastic tied bag with purple powder inside that later tested presumptively positive for fentanyl.
Deputies also located a small amount of cocaine and a loaded firearm inside the vehicle.
On Nov. 20, Sykie turned himself in to the Windham County Sheriff’s Office and was processed on charges of fentanyl trafficking, possession of cocaine, possession of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony, three counts of violation of conditions of release and unlawful trespass.
Snide faces identical charges.
Both men are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 27, 2026.
