Details: July 11, 2020
VSP News Release-Incident
CASE#: 20B301184
DATE/TIME: April 14th, 2020, at approximately 2230 hours
INCIDENT LOCATION: Pownal, VT
VIOLATION: 13 VSA 1024 - Aggravated Assault
ACCUSED: Michael J. Sweet
AGE: 19
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Pownal, VT
VICTIM: BillieJean Adams
AGE: 26
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Pownal, VT
VICTIM: Jeremiah Gordon
AGE: 24
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Pownal, VT
VICTIM: Yvonne Pratt
AGE: 45
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Pownal, VT
VICTIM: Willard Buell
AGE: 59
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Pownal, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On April 14th, 2020, at approximately 2230 hours, Troopers from the Vermont State Police - Shaftsbury Barracks responded to a call for a weapons offense in Pownal, VT. Investigation determined (found probable cause) that Michael J. Sweet, age 19, of Pownal, VT, shot out the rear window of Jeremiah's personal vehicle with a firearm. The vehicle was parked outside of the residence, in front of the kitchen, where Jeremiah, BillieJean, Yvonne, and Willard were sitting. The vehicle was searched and the projectile was recovered.
Further investigation revealed that Michael had been looking for BillieJean in Pownal (VT), Bennington (VT), and Woodford (VT), prior to shooting the window of the vehicle. When Michael was interviewed by the State Police, he provided a false statement.
Michael turned himself into the Vermont State Police - Shaftsbury Barracks on July 10th, 2020. The Honorable Judge McDonald-Cady imposed conditions of release on Michael and ordered him to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Bennington Criminal Division on July 13th, 2020, at 1230 hours. Michael was released on his own recognizance. |