Nikolas Kerest U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont – The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont has announced that Kyle Pickett, a 30-year-old resident of Windsor County, has been indicted by a federal grand jury. The indictment, returned on January 16, 2025, charges Pickett with being a felon in possession of firearms.
During an arraignment on January 23, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Jerome J. Niedermeier, Pickett pleaded not guilty to the charges. Judge Niedermeier ordered his detention while the case is pending.
Court records indicate that on November 25, 2023, Pickett was found in possession of two loaded firearms: a Winchester Model 62 .22 rifle and a Winchester Model 42 .410 shotgun. These were located in a stolen Ford Ranger pick-up truck from Orange County, Vermont. Due to multiple prior felony convictions, Pickett was prohibited from possessing these firearms.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that an indictment consists only of allegations and emphasized that Pickett is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison; however, sentencing would be guided by advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigatory work conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Andrew C. Gilman is prosecuting the case while Sara M. Puls serves as Pickett's defense attorney as Assistant Federal Public Defender.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities they serve. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on fostering community trust and legitimacy while setting strategic enforcement priorities.
