Roy Erno Sentenced to 30 Months for Violation of Gun Control Act

Burlington, Vermont - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on May 2, 2024, Roy-Anthony Erno, 36, of Burlington, Vermont, was sentenced by United States District Judge Christina Reiss to a term of 30 months' imprisonment to be followed by a 3-year term of supervised release. Erno previously pleaded guilty to being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm because of a prior felony conviction.

According to court records, On May 3, 2022, members of the South Burlington Police Department responded to a hotel following a report that an individual refused to leave a room. Law enforcement then encountered Erno who agreed to leave the room and admitted to investigators that he possessed a firearm in his backpack. Erno consented to a search of the bag and officers located a 9mm Smith & Wesson firearm in the backpack. Erno was placed under arrest and subsequently charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

United States Attorney Nikolas P. Kerest commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the South Burlington Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Ophardt and Zachary Stendig. Erno was represented by Natasha Sen, 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 Justice.gov/PSN.