Burlington, Vermont criminal defense lawyer represented Defendant charged with possession of an unregistered explosive device.

Federal Courthouse - Burlington, Vermont

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In April 2022, a confidential source (CS) reported to the Hartford, Vermont Police Department (Hartford PD) that Hillard possessed explosive devices (bombs) at his residence in Wilder, Vermont. The CS provided Hartford PD one bomb that the CS said was made by William Hillard, age 51, of Wilder, Vermont. Hartford PD obtained a warrant to search the residence and on April 5, 2022, assisted by Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), executed it. During this search, law enforcement found eight bombs, some of which had shrapnel inside, and bomb-making materials, including explosive powder, fuses, and pipes. Law enforcement also found a semi-automatic rifle, two loaded ammunition magazines with 17 rounds of ammunition contained inside, and more than 1,600 rounds of ammunition of various calibers. Hillard did not register the bombs with the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record as required. In addition, Hillard had previously been convicted of felony offenses and therefore was prohibited from possessing the foregoing weapons.



U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the efforts of the Hartford, Vermont Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in the investigation and prosecution of Hillard.



Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson handled the prosecution of Hillard. Assistant Federal Public Defender Sara M. Puls represented Hillard.



26:5861(d), 5841, 5845(a)(8), 5845(f), and 5871.F UNLAWFUL TO RECEIVE A FIREARM NOT REGISTERED - knowingly possessed a firearm not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record

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Defendant was sentenced to 32 months in prison, followed bya three-year term of supervised release and to pay a $100 special assessment.