Barry Perez, a resident of Lebanon, New Hampshire, has been sentenced to 78 months in prison following his guilty plea to kidnapping an interstate trucker. The sentencing was delivered by Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss on June 20, 2025. In addition to the prison term, Perez will serve a five-year supervised release and pay restitution amounting to $44,626. The court also recommended that the Bureau of Prisons not credit Perez for time spent in detention prior to sentencing.
The incident occurred on January 13, 2023, when Perez stole a box truck in Lebanon and drove it into Vermont under the influence of illegal drugs. After crashing near Exit 1 on Interstate 89, he coerced a tractor-trailer driver with what appeared to be a handgun—later identified as a pellet gun—to drive him further north. The trucker managed to escape when Perez fell asleep. Subsequently, Perez was arrested after a standoff in Berlin, Vermont.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the joint investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Vermont State Police and Berlin Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Van de Graaf prosecuted the case while Federal Public Defender Michael Desautels represented Perez.
