January 31, 2012

THREATENING EMAIL RESULTS IN TWO YEARS’ PROBATION

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that on January 30, 2012, Richard George, 53, of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, was sentenced in United States District Court to two years’ probation for disturbing the peace by electronic communication on federal property. According to court records, on July 2, 2011, George sent an email to an employee of the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in White River Junction (“VAMC-WRJ”), threatening physical harm to that employee. As special conditions of probation Senior United States District Judge J. Garvan Murtha ordered George not to contact VAMC-WRJ employees, not to seek medical services at VAMC-WRJ except for emergencies, to remain 1000 feet away from VAMC-WRJ and the residences of its employees, and not to travel in Vermont without permission from his probation officer.

United States Attorney Tristram J. Coffin commended the investigation by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the VAMC-WRJ Police Department. Brattleboro attorney John Mabie represented George. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan.