The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Andrew Lane, 36, of South Burlington, was arraigned yesterday in United States District Court in Burlington on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of two firearms. Lane pleaded not guilty. Chief U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford ordered that Lane be held without bail pending trial.
According to court records, on October 14, 2022, law enforcement executed federal search warrants for the Lane’s South Burlington residence, a Burlington apartment, and Lane’s 2017 BMW 540i. From a hidden compartment beneath the center console of the BMW, which was parked next to Lane’s South Burlington residence, law enforcement recovered two loaded firearms: a semi-automatic 9mm handgun and a .38 caliber revolver. Lane is prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of his prior felony convictions. In the search of the South Burlington residence, law enforcement also recovered approximately $36,000 in U.S. currency.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the indictment is merely an accusation and that Lane is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
If convicted, Lane faces up to fifteen years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of Homeland Security Investigations, and recognized the helpful assistance of the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force, South Burlington Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Burlington Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Lane is represented by Michael J. Straub, Esq. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman.
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. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn