Cavendish, Vermont Man Sentenced to 14 Months for Unlawful Receipt of a Firearm

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 23, 2024, Mitchell Horton, 37, of Cavendish, Vermont, was sentenced by Chief United States District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford to a term of 14 months’ imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Horton previously pleaded guilty to receiving a firearm while under indictment for a New Hampshire felony.

According to court records, on April 3, 2023, Horton possessed a Smith and Wesson .380 semi-automatic pistol in his waistband. Vermont State Police seized this firearm from Horton upon his arrest for the theft of diesel fuel in Cavendish, Vermont on April 3, 2023. Following his arrest, Horton admitted to law enforcement that he purchased the pistol from another person. On or about April 3, 2023, Horton knew that he was under indictment in the State of New Hampshire for Theft by Unauthorized Taking, a Class A Felony, that carries with it a maximum penalty of fifteen years of imprisonment. 

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Vermont State Police, the Federal  Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Office of the Grafton County (New Hampshire) Attorney.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory L. Waples and Zachary B. Stendig. Horton was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara Puls, Esq.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn