Massachusetts Resident Indicted for Assault and Weapons Charges Stemming from Incident in North Troy

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Ivan Carmona—a 30-year-old man from Springfield, Massachusetts—was indicted today by a federal grand jury sitting in Burlington, Vermont.  The three-count indictment charges the defendant with assaulting a Border Patrol Agent with a deadly weapon and with possessing a firearm after having sustained a prior felony conviction.  The defendant is currently held without bail on state charges. His arraignment on the federal indictment will be scheduled by the Court on a later date.  If convicted, Carmona faces a minimum sentence of seven years in prison and a maximum sentence of lifetime imprisonment.  He could also be fined up to $250,000.

The case arose from law enforcement’s November 18, 2021, pursuit of Carmona in connection with an unrelated Vermont warrant. United States Border Patrol (USBP) agents from the Newport, Vermont Border Patrol Station assisted state and local authorities in the pursuit of Carmona near North Troy, Vermont.  According to the indictment, during the pursuit, Carmona possessed a loaded handgun and brandished it at one of the pursuing Border Patrol Agents.

An indictment is a charging document and is only a set of formal accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty at trial or by a guilty plea.  Any eventual sentence imposed by the Court would be advised by the United States Sentencing Guidelines and statutory factors for sentencing.

Several law enforcement agencies participated in the pursuit and apprehension of Carmona, including USBP, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Air & Marine division of Customs and Border Protection, the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, the Vermont State Police, and the Vermont Drug Task Force.  Acting U.S. Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaboration between federal and state agencies in the apprehension of Carmona and praised the calmness and professionalism of the involved Border Patrol Agents.

“Ivan Carmona’s alleged actions threatening a federal law enforcement officer, combined with his criminal record, suggest he is a danger to the community,” said James M. Ferguson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Boston Field Division.  “It is a testament to both the bravery and professionalism of the U.S. Border Patrol agents that Ivan Carmona was arrested without anyone being harmed during his apprehension.  This case is the successful outcome of a concerted, collaborative effort with our local, state, and federal partners to apprehend an individual charged with violent conduct by the state of Vermont.  We are committed to intervening against armed individuals who threaten the safety of the citizens of Vermont.”

Orleans County Sheriff Jennifer L. Harlow added: “It has become extremely troubling that Orleans County has become a playground for violence.  When individuals within our community, or those who travel to our community, are in possession of firearms, illegal drugs, or both, they pose a risk to public safety.  These behaviors effect our entire community and all those within.  We are so thankful for the wonderful partnership we have with ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for working so closely with our community to help protect us from these dangers.” 

The defendant will be assigned representation at his arraignment in the federal proceeding.  The federal case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Lasher.