Charlestown, Massachusetts Man Sentenced to 66 Months for Hobbs Act Robbery

Rutland, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on March 27, 2026, Richard J. Vardenski, 57, of Charlestown, Massachusetts was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 66 months' imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Vardenski previously pleaded guilty to interfering with commerce by robbing a convenience store in the Old North End of Burlington, Vermont.

According to court records, Vardenski walked into a convenience store in the Old North End on August 25, 2024, pointed what appeared to be a pistol at the store clerk, demanded money, and took approximately $500 in cash from the register as well as a pack of cigarettes. Vardenski then left the store and fled in a Volvo. Investigators later recovered the apparent weapon used in the robbery, which was in fact a BB-gun. Vardenski was on federal supervised release at the time he committed the robbery, and has a criminal history that includes federal convictions for bank robbery and assault with intent to do bodily harm.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Burlington Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Banker. Vardenski was represented by Evan Barquist, Esq.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.