The Attorney General's Office has announced the arraignment of Rutland City Police Sergeant Andrew Plemmons on charges related to an officer-involved shooting incident. Sgt. Plemmons, 45, faces one felony count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one misdemeanor count of reckless endangerment.
These charges stem from a review conducted by Attorney General Charity Clark, following an investigation by the Vermont State Police into the events that transpired on July 3, 2023, at Giorgetti Park in Rutland City, Vermont. The Attorney General's Office determined that Sgt. Plemmons' use of deadly force against Andy Perez, 22, was not justified under Vermont law.
Windsor County State’s Attorney Ward Goodenough served as conflict counsel for the Rutland County State’s Attorney and agreed with the decision to file criminal charges against Sgt. Plemmons for his actions during the incident.
During his arraignment in Vermont Superior Court, Rutland Criminal Division, Sgt. Plemmons entered a plea of not guilty. Judge Cortland Corsones presided over the proceedings and imposed a condition of release requiring Sgt. Plemmons to avoid contact with Mr. Perez.
Attorney General Charity Clark emphasized that "individuals charged with a crime are legally presumed innocent until their guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."