Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Williamstown Man Held on Firearms Charge
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Douglas Bedell, age 56, of Williamstown, Vermont, has been indicted and detained on a federal firearms charge. At his arraignment in U.S. District Court in Burlington on February 22, 2019, Bedell pleaded not guilty and was ordered detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshal’s Service pending disposition of the charge. Bedell was also ordered to undergo a competency evaluation.
On December 12, 2018, Bedell was arrested by the Vermont State Police in Orange County and charged with Aggravated Domestic Assault after an altercation with a female. Halfa-dozen firearms were found in his residence, along with over 1600 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Bedell had two Vermont felony convictions, and was on State court release based on a 2017 Aggravated Assault with a Weapon charge in Washington County. As a result, federal law barred his possession of firearms. Bedell was detained in State custody after his December, 2018 arrest. A Criminal Complaint filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms initiated the federal prosecution.
The Criminal Complaint and Indictment are accusations only and Bedell is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The maximum possible sentence on the federal charge is 10 years imprisonment. However, any sentence would be informed by the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan thanked the Vermont State Police and ATF for their investigative work and collaboration. She stated: “this case exemplifies how federal guns laws may be brought to bear to address and prevent domestic violence in all Vermont communities.”
The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney William Darrow. Bedell is represented by Assistant Federal Defender Elizabeth Quinn.
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