Sherry Roebuck Pleads Not Guilty to Algiers Fire District Embezzlement

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that Sherry Roebuck, 50, of Guilford, pleaded not guilty today in United States District Court in Burlington to charges that she embezzled approximately $82,000 from the municipality for which she served as treasurer. U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Conroy released Roebuck on conditions pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

On October 5, 2011, a federal grand jury in Rutland returned two-count indictment accusing Roebuck of embezzling about $82,000 from the Algiers Fire District. Algiers Fire District #1 was established in 1993 by residents of Guilford to provide sewer service to people who lived in the village of Algiers. Between 2007 and March 2011, Roebuck served as the treasurer of the fire district, mailing out quarterly bills to district members, receiving payments and handling the district’s banking. According to the indictment, beginning in late 2007 and continuing until March 2011, Roebuck embezzled from the district by writing numerous checks to herself without authorization, then cashing the checks at local banks. Roebuck’s theft was not uncovered until early 2011, when she was fired.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that Roebuck is presumed innocent unless and until she is proven guilty.

If convicted, Roebuck faces up to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to $250,000. The actual sentence would be determined with reference to federal sentencing guidelines.

This case was investigated by the Vermont State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Roebuck is represented by John Mabie. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory Waples.