Serial Pharmacy Robber Sentenced to 32 Months in Prison

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Bryan McMahon, 31, of Burlington, was sentenced yesterday for Interference with Commerce by Robbery. Chief District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced McMahon to 32 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

According to Court records, McMahon admitted to having committed three pharmacy robberies in Burlington. First, on December 18, 2014, McMahon robbed the Lakeside Pharmacy on Pearl Street in Burlington, Vermont. For this robbery, McMahon was dressed in ski goggles, a surgical mask, gloves, and a Santa Claus hat when he obtained Oxycontin and Methadone by stating “I’ve got something for you” while gesturing to his waist area.

On April 3, 2015, McMahon again robbed the Lakeside Pharmacy while dressed in aviator-style sunglasses, a surgical mask, and rubber gloves, obtaining Methadone by stating “I’m armed; I’ll shoot you; they won’t give it to me at the hospital.” Shoeprints near the scene of this robbery were later matched to a pair of white sneakers recovered from McMahon’s residence.

Finally, on April 27, 2015, McMahon entered the Rite Aid Pharmacy on North Avenue in Burlington, Vermont, wearing an orange vest, surgical mask, and rubber gloves. McMahon approached the pharmacy counter, demanded Methadone, and stated “quickly, I have something.” A short time after he exited the pharmacy, McMahon was confronted by Burlington Police Officers in Ethan Allen Park. A search of McMahon’s jacket revealed the two stolen bottles of Methadone. Burlington Police Officers also recovered an orange vest and surgical mask near the pharmacy. DNA testing by the Vermont Forensic Laboratory located McMahon’s DNA on both items.

United States Attorney Eric S. Miller commended the investigative efforts of the Burlington Police Department, the Vermont Forensic Laboratory, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Ophardt. McMahon was represented by Assistant Federal Defender Steven L. Barth, Esq.