The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Fahad Hilowle, 28, of Burlington, Vermont, was indicted on Thursday, August 4, 2022 by a federal grand jury for unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon. Hilowle was arraigned in United States District Court on August 9, 2022 and was detained pending trial following a hearing on Aug. 10, 2022.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Hilowle remains presumed innocent until and unless he is convicted of a crime. If convicted, Hilowle faces up to 10 years of imprisonment. Any actual sentence would be determined by the Court with reference to the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code.
United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Burlington Police Department.
The United States is represented in this matter by Assistant United States Attorney Wendy L. Fuller. Hilowle is represented by Mark D. Oettinger, Esq.
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 gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psn
Source: USAO - Vermont
