Tyler Hayes, a 42-year-old resident of Bennington, Vermont, was convicted by a jury in U.S. District Court in Rutland for unlawfully possessing a homemade bomb. The verdict was announced by the Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont. Following the trial, U.S. District Judge Joseph Laplante ordered that Hayes remain in custody until sentencing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Court records and trial evidence revealed that a bomb was found at Hayes's former residence in Bennington after he vacated the property in February 2023. Law enforcement defused the device following notification from the property manager. Witnesses testified about Hayes's involvement in discussing and constructing bombs over several months and his attempt to trade one for fentanyl. After discovery of the bomb, Hayes reportedly admitted to being "on the run." An explosives expert from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives confirmed that although rudimentary, the bomb could have caused significant damage if detonated.
The jury found Hayes guilty of possessing an unregistered destructive device under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and possessing such a device while unlawfully using a controlled substance under the Gun Control Act (GCA). He faces up to 10 years imprisonment for violating NFA provisions and up to 15 years for breaching GCA regulations. The final sentence will be determined by federal guidelines and statutory factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised law enforcement agencies involved: “Yesterday’s guilty verdict in Rutland reflects not only the investigative skill of agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and Homeland Security Investigations but also the work of an extraordinary team of prosecutors and support staff from this office.” He acknowledged assistance from Vermont State Police's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit and Bennington Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Corinne Smith and Nicole Cate prosecuted the case with James Valente Esq., and Chandler Matson Esq., representing Hayes.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration with law enforcement agencies across various levels. More information on PSN can be found at Justice.gov/PSN.