St. Albans Man Charged with Illegal Possession of a Firearm (DOJ)

Burlington, Vermont - The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that on August 28, 2025, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Richard Bailey Jr., 34, of St. Albans, Vermont, with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Bailey entered a plea of not guilty to the charge during an arraignment on September 8, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Bailey be detained during the pendency of this matter.

According to court records, on June 2, 2025, police in St. Albans, Vermont were investigating a domestic violence incident involving Bailey. Police in Burlington, Vermont subsequently observed Bailey standing near the alleged domestic violence victim's place of employment. Bailey fled from police and discarded a fanny pack containing a loaded Sig Sauer pistol with a round chambered.

The United States Attorney's Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Bailey is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Bailey faces up to 15 years of imprisonment if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the St. Albans and Burlington Police Departments.

The prosecutor is Assistant United States Attorney Nate Burris. Bailey is represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Barclay Johnson.