Lebanon Man Sentenced For Vermont Drug-Fueled Kidnapping

Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 6:00 P.M. ET.  2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

BURLINGTON, VT.- A 39-year-old Lebanon, New Hampshire, man will be spending the next six-and-a-half years in federal prison after being sentenced last Friday for the drug-fueled kidnapping of a truck driver on January 13, 2023, on Interstate 89 in Berlin, Vermont.

     According to Acting U.S. Attorney Michael P. Drescher, on Friday, June 20, 2025, Barry Perez, 39, formerly of Lebanon, New Hampshire, appeared in the U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont and was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Christina Reiss to 78 months in federal prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Kidnapping.

     In handing down the sentence on Friday, in addition to the term of imprisonment, Judge Reiss ordered Perez to pay restitution in the amount of $44,626, and recommended that the U.S. Bureau of Prisons not give Perez credit for the time he has been detained since his January 13, 2025, arrest.

Perez Steals Truck Early In The Morning

     According to the charging documents filed with the District Court, during the early morning hours of January 13, 2023, Perez stole a box truck in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He drove the stolen truck into the State of Vermont along Interstate 89. Perez was under the influence of various illicit narcotics. 

Crashes Truck While Driving Under The Influence Of Drugs

     After crashing the box truck near Exit 1 on Interstate 89, a tractor-trailer driver hauling an interstate shipment stopped to help Perez. As the tractor-trailer driver began to exit his vehicle, Perez pulled out what appeared to be a handgun, but was actually a pellet gun, and forced the trucker to drive him further North on Interstate 89. 

Perez Arrested After Standoff With Police

     As Perez dozed off from the drugs, the trucker was able to stop his rig and escape, calling the Police. After a brief standoff with law enforcement, Perez was taken into custody in Berlin, Vermont.