Josiah Leach Sentenced in Vermont School Threat Case

South Burlington, VT — A 19-year-old man who terrorized students and faculty at South Burlington High School with a chilling series of threats in April 2017 has been sentenced to five years of probation. Josiah Leach, of South Burlington, Vermont, admitted to sending threats in interstate commerce designed to instill fear and panic among staff and students at the school, a federal crime that triggered immediate intervention by law enforcement.

Leach appeared before Chief U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford, who handed down the probationary sentence after hearing arguments from both prosecution and defense. Though Leach faced up to five years in prison, the court opted for supervised release, citing the potential for rehabilitation. Judge Crawford did not minimize the gravity of the threats, emphasizing that acts of intimidation in schools fracture community trust and leave lasting psychological scars.

During the sentencing, it was revealed that Leach was arrested on April 21, 2017, and spent approximately three months and ten days in custody before being released under pretrial supervision. Authorities uncovered a so-called ‘kill list’ that included specific names of students and faculty members, prompting a swift joint response from the FBI, South Burlington Police, and Vermont State Police.

Under strict conditions of his probation, Leach is barred from any contact with individuals named on the list and must stay at least 500 feet away from the South Burlington High School campus. He will undergo mandatory mental health and substance abuse evaluations, submit to computer monitoring by the U.S. Probation Office, and meet personally with Judge Crawford every six months for the duration of his supervision.

As a convicted felon, Leach is permanently prohibited from possessing or purchasing firearms. Any violation of his probation terms could land him back in court, facing up to five years behind bars. U.S. Attorney Christina E. Nolan praised the rapid collaboration between agencies, calling the investigation a model for interjurisdictional cooperation. ‘No child or employee should ever have to fear for their safety, especially not in an educational setting,’ Nolan stated.

Nolan extended recognition to school leaders David Young, Superintendent of South Burlington Schools, and Pat Burke, Principal of South Burlington High School, for their steady leadership during the crisis. Assistant Federal Public Defender Elizabeth Quinn represented Leach, while Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Drescher and Eugenia A. P. Cowles prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. The sentence marks the end of a years-long investigation rooted in fear—but one that ultimately reinforced the federal commitment to protect America’s classrooms.