John Austin, a 30-year-old from Michigan now residing in South Burlington, Vermont, entered a plea of not guilty to a federal firearms charge. The charge alleges that Austin unlawfully possessed a pistol as a convicted felon. The proceedings took place in the United States District Court in Burlington, where U.S. Magistrate Judge Kevin Doyle ordered Austin to be held without bail pending trial. The trial date has not yet been set.
Austin is currently under the primary custody of the Vermont Department of Corrections as he awaits trial for an aggravated assault charge related to a 2023 shootout in Burlington’s Old North End.
In November, a federal grand jury issued an indictment claiming that Austin had possession of a semi-automatic pistol in April 2024. Due to his multiple felony convictions in Michigan, Austin is prohibited from possessing firearms. Court records reveal that police discovered the weapon with Austin's fingerprints inside a stolen rental car.
The United States Attorney's Office emphasized that the indictment is merely an accusation and maintains that Austin is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison and could be fined up to $250,000. The final sentence would be determined by the District Court following guidelines and statutory factors.
The investigation was conducted by local police departments alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Austin's defense is being handled by the Office of the Federal Public Defender, while Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples prosecutes the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The program focuses on fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations dedicated to violence prevention.