South Burlington Man Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Firearms Offense

Friday, February 14, 2025, 10:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BURLINGTON, VT.- On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, John Austin, 30, a former Michigan resident who recently resided in South Burlington, Vermont, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont and pleaded not guilty before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Kevin Doyle to an indictment charging him with being a Prohibited Person in Possession of a Firearm, Convicted Felon.

     Following entering his not-guilty plea, Judge Doyle ordered Austin detained without bail pending trial. Austin is currently in the custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections, awaiting trial on a 2023 state charge of aggravated assault stemming from a shootout in Burlington, Vermont.

According To The U.S. Attorney’s Office

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher and charging information unsealed in the indictment, in November 2024, a Federal Grand Jury for the District of Vermont returned the one-count indictment alleging that in April 2024, Austin unlawfully possessed a semi-automatic handgun. Austin is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm or ammunition due to multiple prior felony convictions in the State of Michigan.

     According further to the information, members of the Burlington Police Department located a rental car that had been reported stolen. While searching the rental vehicle during the initial investigation, Police Officers found a loaded .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun inside the vehicle that had Austin’s fingerprints on it.

     If convicted on the charge, Austin faces up to 15 years in federal prison, at least three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine, or both.