Nikolas Kerest U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
A Burlington man, Loren Senna III, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison following a series of criminal activities that included a shooting incident and drug possession. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss handed down the sentence on February 18, 2025. Senna will also serve a three-year term of supervised release after his imprisonment.
Senna had previously pleaded guilty to charges of possessing with intent to distribute cocaine base and being a felon in possession of ammunition. Court records reveal that on March 19, 2021, Senna fired multiple rounds from a semi-automatic rifle-style handgun while pursuing another vehicle through Burlington's Old North End. Although bullets hit several residences and pedestrians were present during the shooting, no injuries were reported.
After fleeing the scene in his Jeep, Senna attempted to evade law enforcement by hiding in a parking lot before crashing into an occupied police cruiser. He then abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot, discarding firearms along the way. Later that evening, he was apprehended driving a friend's truck containing drugs and cash.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commented on the case: “The defendant’s shooting and subsequent flight from law enforcement...were shocking and extraordinarily dangerous.” He praised law enforcement agencies for their quick response and collaboration in apprehending Senna without injury.
Burlington Chief of Police Jon Murad expressed gratitude for the successful prosecution: “Given the volume of gunfire...it’s nothing short of a miracle that no one was shot or seriously injured.”
James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division, emphasized the threat posed by armed felons like Senna: “This case highlights the dangers posed by armed felons and drug traffickers...We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to hold violent offenders accountable.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicole P. Cate and Zachary B. Stendig prosecuted the case, while Mark Kaplan represented Senna.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities.
