Vermont Man Charged with Bank Robbery

Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office stated that Samuel W. Blatt, age 32, of Vermont, has been charged by criminal complaint with bank robbery.

On Friday, March 15, 2024, following an investigation involving numerous law enforcement offices, Mr. Blatt was arrested in Burlington. He is currently being held on state charges. An initial appearance in U.S. District Court will be scheduled at a later date.

According to court records, investigators have tied Mr. Blatt to bank robberies in Essex, Johnson, and Winooski, as well as an attempted bank robbery in Burlington.

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only and that Mr. Blatt is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Mr. Blatt faces up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigative collaboration that occurred among the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Chittenden County Gun Violence Task Force, the police departments of Winooski, Burlington, Williston, Essex, and Milton, the Investigations Unit of Vermont DMV Enforcement and Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Border Patrol, the Sheriff’s Departments of Grand Isle and Lamoille Counties, and the Vermont State Police.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Colin Owyang. Counsel is yet to be appointed for Mr. Blatt.