The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Jamal
Hall, age 41, of Brooklyn, New York and Rutland, Vermont, was arraigned today in U.S. District
Court in Burlington on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
As detailed in the government’s motion for detention, shortly after midnight on April 13,
2018, Hall fired a.40 caliber semi-automatic pistol inside of the Hide-A-Way Tavern in Rutland,
Vermont. That night, Hall became engaged in a confrontation with another male patron. In
response to the male patron swinging his fist at Hall, Hall pulled the pistol from his waistband
and fired in close range at the male patron. The bullet did not strike the male patron, nor did it
strike multiple other people nearby. Hall is a prior felon with drug convictions in both New
York and Vermont. Accordingly, Hall is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
At his appearance in federal court today before United States Magistrate Judge John M.
Conroy, Hall entered a plea of not guilty. The defendant was ordered detained pending further
proceedings.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives as well as the Rutland Police Department. The Vermont State Police
were instrumental in the defendant’s arrest, which occurred after the defendant led law
enforcement on a high-speed chase in Southern Vermont. The Rutland County State’s
Attorney’s Office also provided valuable assistance.
“This case demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to protect
Vermont communities, in all parts of the state, from those who engage in gun violence. Illegal
possession and use of firearms -particularly in bars and nightclubs - puts the innocent public
and law enforcement officers at great risk. Those who commit such crimes will be brought to
justice through the collaborative efforts of federal, state, local, and county law enforcement
agencies."
“This investigation exemplifies ATF’s commitment to protect our communities from
violent criminals who possess firearms" said ATF Acting Special Agent in Lawrence
Panetta. “ATF will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to eradicate
violent gun related crime."
Rutland County State’s Attorney Rose Kennedy stated, “This case represents the
collaborative efforts of local, state and federal authorities to try and keep the community safe. I
want to thank U.S. Attorney Nolan for making the prosecution of illegal firearms possession
cases a priority."
Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. Gilman represents the United States. Assistant
Federal Defender Elizabeth K. Quinn represents Hall. The United States Attorney emphasizes
that the charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations and that the defendant is
presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law
enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer
for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s
renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership
with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective,
locally‐based strategies to reduce violent crime.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
