Springfield Man Pleads Guilty To Being Drug User In Possession Of Firearms
Wednesday, October 23, 2024, 1:15 P.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
BURLINGTON, VT.- On Monday, October 21, 2024, Ernest Lamphere, 44, of Springfield, Vermont, appeared in U.S. District Court for the District of Vermont and pleaded guilty before U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions, III to Being a Drug User in Possession of a Firearm.
According to documents filed with the court and facts outlined in the plea agreement, in late February 2024, Lamphere was issued a State of Vermont Relief from Abuse Order, which had been sought by his family members and prohibited him from possessing firearms.
When Police Officers served the order on Lamphere on February 27, 2024, at his residence, Lamphere surrendered several firearms to the Police Officers and also admitted to opiate use. Just two days later, Lamphere was located alone in his vehicle, blocking the drive-thru lane at the McDonald’s in Springfield, Vermont, and was going in and out of an illicit narcotics-induced “nod.” Lamphere had opiates in his system at that time, along with a significant amount of illegal drugs located in his vehicle and in his pockets.
Further, at that time, while being under the influence of illegal drugs, Lamphere was also in possession of two AR-style rifles, a silencer, and assorted ammunition.
Lamphere Admits To Drug Use
During Monday’s plea hearing, Lamphere admitted to being a drug user in possession of a firearm, a charge that would subject Lamphere to a maximum federal prison term of 15 years. Under the terms of the plea agreement and if the court accepts the agreement, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will recommend that Lamphere’s sentence be delayed for one year and that Lamphere receive a time-served sentence to be followed by three years of supervised release if he abides by the terms of the plea agreement over the next year.
U.S. Attorney Nikolas Kerest, who is prosecuting the case, thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Springfield Police Department for their work on this case.
