Richard J. Vardenski, 57, of Charlestown, Massachusetts was sentenced on March 27 to 66 months in prison and three years of supervised release for robbing a convenience store in the Old North End of Burlington, Vermont.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address violent crime and protect local communities.
According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont, Vardenski pleaded guilty to interfering with commerce by robbing a Burlington convenience store. Court records show that on August 25, 2024, Vardenski entered the store, pointed what appeared to be a pistol at the clerk, demanded money, and left with about $500 in cash and a pack of cigarettes. He fled in a Volvo before investigators later recovered what turned out to be a BB-gun used during the incident. At the time of this offense, Vardenski was already on federal supervised release following previous convictions for bank robbery and assault with intent to do bodily harm.
First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt said he commended “the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Burlington Police Department.” The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joshua L. Banker while Evan Barquist represented Vardenski.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative designed by the Department of Justice aiming at repelling illegal immigration as well as eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), according to information provided by federal authorities.
