Bennington resident sentenced for possessing unregistered bomb

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Bennington resident sentenced for possessing unregistered bomb

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Michael P. Drescher Acting United States Attorney for the District of Vermont | U.S. Attorney for the District of Vermont

A Bennington man, Tyler Hayes, has been sentenced to 50 months in prison for possessing an unregistered bomb and possessing a bomb as an unlawful drug user. The sentencing was handed down by United States District Judge Joseph LaPlante on June 24, 2025. Hayes will also serve a three-year term of supervised release following his imprisonment.

Hayes, aged 43, was convicted by a jury on February 13, 2025, after a five-day trial. The charges stemmed from the discovery of a bomb at his former residence in Bennington, Vermont, which he had abandoned in February 2023. Law enforcement defused the device after being alerted by the property manager.

Court records and trial evidence revealed that Hayes had been involved in discussions about constructing bombs and had attempted to trade one for fentanyl. Witnesses reported that Hayes admitted to being "on the run" following the discovery of the bomb at his home. An explosives expert testified that despite its rudimentary construction using a pipe bomb and flammable liquids in plastic bottles, the device could have caused significant damage if detonated.

The jury found Hayes guilty of violating both the National Firearms Act (NFA) and the Gun Control Act (GCA). Under these acts, he faced potential sentences of up to ten years for the NFA violation and up to fifteen years for the GCA violation.

Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigation conducted by several agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; Homeland Security Investigations; Vermont State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit; and Bennington Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corinne Smith and Nicole Cate prosecuted the case against Hayes who was represented by attorneys James Valente and Chandler Matson.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.

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