Brian Warner, Possessing a Firearm with a Felony Conviction, Vermont 2020

<strong>Grimy Times Exclusive: A 47-year-old man from Addison County, Vermont has been arrested and charged with a federal firearms offense after allegedly shooting his girlfriend in the leg with a 9mm semiautomatic pistol.

Brian Warner, 47, was taken into custody on September 24, 2020 and is currently being held in custody pending a detention hearing on September 30, 2020 in U.S. District Court.

According to court records, the charge against Warner relates to his possession of a firearm at the Texas Falls Recreation Area in Hancock, Vermont on or about August 1, 2020. Warner shot his girlfriend in the leg with the firearm, a 9mm semiautomatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine.

Law enforcement learned of Warner's unlawful possession of the pistol after his girlfriend sought medical treatment for her gunshot wound. At the time of the shooting, Warner was prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law due to his felony record.

If convicted, Warner faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the Court with guidance from the advisory Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

The United States Attorney emphasizes that the charge in the indictment is merely an accusation, and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice's signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-vt/pr/indictment-federal-firearms-offense-relating-shooting-texas-falls-recreation-area