Adam Chartier Arrested For Bomb Threat Called Into The United States Post Office In Burlington, Vermont

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Adam Chartier, 29 years old, of Puerto Rico, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on February 11, 2016 in Puerto Rico on federal charges that he used a telephone, or other instrument of interstate commerce, to make a threat concerning the destruction or damage to a building by means of explosive, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 844(e). Chartier made an initial appearance on that same day before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Puerto Rico and was ordered detained.

According to court documents, on February 5, 2016, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Chartier called the FBI office in Vermont and made statements about calling in a bomb threat to the post office. Approximately one half hour later, someone called the United States Post Office on Elmwood Avenue in Burlington and indicated that there was a bomb in the building. The building was evacuated and searched, but no bomb was found. Agents with the FBI and Federal Protective Service later spoke with Chartier who admitted he had just called in a bomb threat to the post office in Burlington. On February 8, 2016, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Chartier, and he was arrested February 11, 2016.

The United States Attorney, Eric S. Miller, emphasized that the charge against Chartier is merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

If convicted, the defendant faces up to ten 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 FBI, the Federal Protective Service and the Vermont State Police. The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Wendy G. Fuller.