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Press Release
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that two men were arrested on Tuesday on gun and drug charges. Larry Garrow, 26, of Richford, Vermont, was arrested and charged with stealing firearms from a federally licensed firearms dealer in Hardwick, Vermont. Albert Torres-Morales, 29, of Richford, was arrested and charged with distribution of cocaine on January 2, 2014, and possessing with the intent to distribute heroin on April 22, 2014. Garrow and Morales appeared in federal court on April 23, 2014, for initial appearances. Both men were ordered temporarily detained pending detention hearings on April 25, 2014. If convicted, Garrow faces a maximum possible penalty of ten years in prison. Morales faces a possible penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to court documents, on or about April 19, 2014, the Rite Way Sports Shop in Hardwick, Vermont was burglarized and 32 firearms were stolen. Larry Garrow, assisted by a female, broke into the Rite Way and stole the firearms. Information later revealed that Garrow kept some of those guns and gave the remaining guns to a person known as "Junior" in exchange for money and drugs. Junior has been identified as Albert Torres-Morales. Law enforcement arrested Garrow on April 22, 2014 based on a tip and other information provided to the police. Morales was arrested on that same date for drug charges stemming from an ongoing drug investigation.
On April 23, 2014, one of Garrow's family members turned in eleven of the stolen guns to the police. The remaining guns have not been located and law enforcement is seeking any information relating to the location of these stolen firearms. If you have any information about these crimes, please call your local police department or the Crimestoppers Tip Line at 864-6666 or Toll Free at 1-800-427-8477.
The U.S. Attorney emphasized that the charges against Garrow and Morales are only accusations and that the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Vermont State Police, the Hardwick Police Department, the FBI, and the U.S. Border Patrol.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kevin Doyle and Wendy L. Fuller are handling the prosecution of these cases. Garrow is represented by Jordana M. Levine, Esq. Morales is represented by Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels, Esq.