Former Burlington Man Indicted For Illegal Gun Possession
Monday, September 30, 2024, 12:00 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BURLINGTON, VT.- U.S. Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest reported on Friday, September 27, 2024, that on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, Travis Collins, 42, formerly of Burlington, Vermont, appeared in U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont and entered a not guilty plea before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle to a charge of Being a Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
Federal Grand Jury Returns Indictment
Previously, on April 25, 2024, a Federal Grand Jury for the District of Vermont returned an indictment charging Collins with one count of illegally possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon.
During Tuesday’s arraignment, Judge Doyle filed Collins’ not guilty plea with the court and ordered Collins to remain detained pending trial.
According to documents unsealed in the indictment, on January 9, 2024, while in downtown Burlington, Vermont, Collins was arrested on multiple State of Vermont-issued warrants. At the time of his arrest, Collins was wearing a backpack. During a subsequent search of the backpack, Police Officers found a loaded pistol with a defaced serial number that was later determined to be stolen.
Collins has been detained in state custody until his September 24, 2024, arraignment in U.S. District Court. Following his appearance, Collins will be turned over to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service to be held in federal custody.
If convicted, Collins faces up to 15 years in federal prison. The actual sentence will be determined by a U.S. Court Judge based on the seriousness of the offense and Collins’ prior criminal history.
“The rules of the court require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.”
