Press Release
East Montpelier Man Pleads Not Guilty To Firearms Charges
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Michael Bernier, age 34, from East Montpelier, Vermont, pleaded not guilty today to firearms charges before United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy in Burlington. A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Bernier with possession of firearms while being an unlawful user of heroin and cocaine base and making false statements regarding his drug use when purchasing the firearms. Magistrate Judge Conroy has ordered Bernier detained pending trial.
According to court records, Bernier purchased two of the same type of make, model, and caliber semi-automatic pistols from R&L Archery in Barre, Vermont over the course of two days on June 22 and 23, 2018. The make and model that Bernier purchased are commonly used by firearm traffickers in the area. When agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives contacted Bernier about the purchases days later, Bernier told them that the firearms had been stolen out of his vehicle. Investigation has revealed that Bernier was a user of heroin and cocaine base at the time of the purchases.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. If he is convicted, Bernier faces a maximum possible term of imprisonment of ten years. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to the federal sentencing guidelines.
In addition to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the U.S. Attorney’s Office lauded the work of the Montpelier Police Department in assisting with the case. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole Cate. Bernier is represented by Kevin Henry, Esq.
U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan noted that this prosecution 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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Updated August 22, 2018
Topics
Firearms Offenses
Project Safe Neighborhoods
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