News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: August 8, 2012
Contact: Public Information Officer
Number: 617-557-2138

West Rutland Rite Aid Robber Pleads Guilty

August 8 (RUTLAND, Vt.) The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Christopher McCarthy, 43, of St. Albans, appeared today in United States District Court and entered a guilty plea to a charge of obstructing commerce by robbery of the West Rutland Rite Aid on February 11, 2012. McCarthy faces a maximum possible term of imprisonment of 20 years. The actual sentence in the event of a conviction will be determined pursuant to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines and the federal statutory sentencing factors.

According to court records, on February 11, 2012, McCarthy entered the Rite Aid in West Rutland and demanded methadone and oxycodone by means of threatened force, violence, or fear of injury to the pharmacist. Later that evening, Vermont State Police arrested McCarthy, who was initially charged by Rutland County State’s Attorney Marc Brierre. The state charge was dismissed after the return of a federal indictment on April 26, 2012.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin commended the Vermont State Police for its investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration for its investigative assistance, and thanked Rutland County State’s Attorney Marc Brierre for his cooperation. McCarthy is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan of the Rutland Branch Office.