December 7, 2007

WINOOSKI MAN CHARGED FOR SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUN

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Robert James Carton, 49, of Winooski, was arrested today by the United States Marshal’s Service and arraigned in United States District Court in Burlington on a one-count indictment, charging possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun in Colchester on July 21, 2007. The indictment was returned on December 6, 2007, by a federal grand jury sitting in Burlington. After pleading not guilty to the charge, Carton was released by the court on conditions, including a condition that he not possess firearms.

If convicted, Carton faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to ten years in prison and a fine of $10,000. The actual sentence in the event of conviction would be determined by the court with reference to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines. United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson stated that the indictment is an accusation only and that Carton is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Colchester Police Department. Carton is represented by Burlington attorney David Casier. Assistant United States Attorney Craig Nolan is prosecuting the case.

U.S. Attorney Anderson noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhood, a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Project Safe Neighborhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who violate federal gun laws. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhood and Project Safe Vermont, please visit: www.psn.gov.