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Press Release

VSP detectives continue investigation of Rooker death; Wayne Oddo charged with a federal firearms offense

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Vermont

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont and the Vermont State Police stated:

On March 15, 2017, Wayne Oddo (53), of Poultney, Vermont, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Vermont with being a user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §922(g)(3). Law enforcement became aware of Oddo during the on-going investigation into the death of Alexandra Rooker. Preliminary investigation revealed that Rooker was reported missing on March 8, 2017 by family members who had not heard from her since March 2, 2017. Rooker was reportedly last seen by friends on March 3, when she was dropped off by a friend at the residence of Wayne Oddo, located at 1953 Morse Hollow Road in Poultney. Detectives interviewed Oddo during the past week in an attempt to locate Rooker. Oddo told detectives that Rooker had been at his residence but was no longer there. Investigation further revealed that both Rooker and Oddo are heroin users.

As part of an ongoing drug investigation, Vermont Drug Task Force detectives working closely with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) obtained a search warrant for Oddo’s residence. On Wednesday, 3/15/17, Vermont State Police troopers, detectives and FBI agents executed the federal search warrant and discovered the body of Alexandra Rooker.

An autopsy was performed this morning at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Burlington. Preliminary autopsy results revealed no signs of trauma; determination of cause and manner of death is pending. Time and date of death is unknown and currently under investigation. This death is being treated as suspicious at this time and possibly related to a drug overdose.

Oddo had an initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy on March 16, 2017. He was detained pending a further hearing on March 24, 2017. At that hearing, Judge Conroy is expected to rule on the government’s motion seeking detention of Oddo pending trial.

The criminal complaint charging Oddo with being a drug user in possession of a firearm is an accusation only; he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted on the firearms charge, he faces up to 10 years in prison. The actual sentence, in the event of conviction, will be determined by the Court with reference to the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory sentencing factors.

Detectives with the Crime Scene Search Team continue to process the scene at 1953 Morse Hollow Road in Poultney this afternoon. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-773-9101. This investigation is a collaborative effort of the Vermont State Police, ATF, and FBI.

Updated March 16, 2017

Topic
Firearms Offenses