Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont
A Colchester, Vermont man has been sentenced to 49 months in prison for a series of bank robberies. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that on May 30, 2025, Samuel Blatt received his sentence from Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss. Following his imprisonment, Blatt will serve a three-year term of supervised release and pay $14,100 in restitution. Blatt was detained by the State of Vermont since his arrest on March 15, 2024.
Court records reveal that between February 28 and March 14, 2024, Blatt robbed four banks in Vermont and attempted to rob a fifth. His criminal activities began at M&T Bank in Essex, Vermont where he obtained approximately $1,000 after demanding money through a note specifying no dye packs or bait money. On March 5, he robbed Union Bank in Johnson, Vermont obtaining about $5,300 using similar tactics.
On March 13, Blatt's attempt at Community Bank in Burlington failed when employees did not comply with his demands. However, later that day he successfully stole around $600 from TD Bank in Winooski by presenting another note to the teller. His final robbery occurred on March 14 at North Country Federal Credit Union in Alburgh where he secured approximately $7,200.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the joint efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; several local police departments; and Homeland Security Investigations for their roles in investigating these crimes.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Owyang and Jason Turner prosecuted the case while Assistant Federal Defender Sara Puls represented Blatt.
