BURLINGTON, Vt. - The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on Aug. 17, James Ingerson, 53, of Hartford, Vermont, pleaded not guilty to a single-count indictment that charges him with being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. At the hearing, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle ordered Ingerson to remain in custody during the pretrial proceedings.
According to court records and proceedings, on June 7, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ingerson’s home in connection with a drug trafficking investigation. During execution of that search warrant, law enforcement discovered a shotgun. During a statement given to law enforcement after waiving his Miranda rights, Ingerson admitted to possessing the weapon. At the time, Ingerson had previously been convicted of approximately eight felonies, including a 2003 conviction for burglary for which he received a 20-year sentence.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Ingerson remains presumed innocent unless and until he is convicted of a crime. Ingerson faces a maximum sentence of 15 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigative efforts of the Hartford, Norwich, and Lebanon, New Hampshire, Police Departments, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara A. Masterson is handling the prosecution of Ingerson. Ingerson is represented by Matthew Anderson, Esq.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the results.