A federal grand jury has indicted Richard Bailey Jr., 34, of St. Albans, Vermont, on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was returned on August 28, 2025, according to the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont.
Bailey pleaded not guilty during his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on September 8, 2025. Judge Doyle ordered that Bailey remain detained while the case is pending.
Court records state that police in St. Albans were investigating Bailey for a domestic violence incident on June 2, 2025. Later that day, Burlington police saw Bailey near the workplace of the alleged victim. When approached by officers, Bailey fled and discarded a fanny pack containing a loaded Sig Sauer pistol with a round chambered.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office noted that an indictment contains only allegations and that “Bailey is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.” If convicted, Bailey could face up to 15 years in prison; however, any sentence would be determined by the District Court using federal sentencing guidelines and statutory factors.
“Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as the St. Albans and Burlington Police Departments.”
Assistant United States Attorney Nate Burris is prosecuting the case. Assistant Federal Public Defender Barclay Johnson represents Bailey.
