Federal Firearms Charge Filed Against New York Man in Armed Robbery in Rutland
The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Sean Miller, 43, of Bronx, New York, was charged in a federal complaint with being a felon-inpossession of a firearm. This charge stems from allegations that Miller, who has two prior felony robbery convictions in New York, committed an armed robbery of an individual staying at the Roadway Inn in Rutland on July 10, 2011.
In U.S. District Court in Burlington today, Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy ordered that Miller be detained without bail pending trial. According to court records, Miller allegedly went to a motel room armed with a Glock .40 caliber handgun, knocked on the door, and then scuffled with the occupant when he opened the door. An occupant of the motel room stated that Miller robbed them. According to court records, multiple shots were fired. Miller was soon after tracked by a Rutland Police dog and was found with the gun near the end of Stafford Lane in Rutland.
U.S. Attorney Coffin noted that this prosecution is part of the U.S. Department of Justice's Project Safe Neighborhood, a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America. Led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Project Safe Neighborhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who violate federal gun laws. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhood and Project Safe Vermont, please visit: www.psn.gov.
The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty. If he is convicted, Miller faces a maximum possible term of imprisonment of ten years, however the actual sentence in the event of a conviction will be determined pursuant to the advisory federal sentencing guidelines and the federal statutory sentencing factors.
This case is being jointly investigated by the Rutland Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella. Miller is represented by Bud Allen, Esq. of Burlington, Vermont.
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