October 15, 2007

TOBY WILLIAMS PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO FIREARMS CHARGE

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Toby Williams, 47, of Burlington, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to a charge that he was a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jerome J. Niedermeier released Williams on conditions pending trial.

On October 4, 2007, a federal grand jury charged Williams, in a one-count indictment, with unlawfully possessing a .380 caliber semi-automatic pistol in March 2006. Williams is prohibited from possessing any firearms because he has three prior felony convictions in New York state.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the indictment is merely an accusation and that Williams is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

Williams faces up to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. The actual sentence in the event of conviction would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

United States Attorney Thomas D. Anderson noted also 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 ATF, 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.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Williams is represented by Brad Stetler. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.