Burlington, VT – In a gritty ruling, Stephen Loewe, 43, of Springfield, Vermont, was sentenced on August 29, 2025, to 45 months’ imprisonment for his involvement in firearms straw-purchasing and the robbing of three banks.
Loewe’s criminal spree began with the illegal acquisition of 19 firearms, which he obtained by falsely claiming they were for his own use. Instead, he provided these weapons, 18 of which were handguns, to a drug dealer. The man was already prohibited from owning firearms due to his criminal history. One firearm Loewe trafficked ended up at a Springfield drug den and another at the scene of a police officer’s shooting in Massachusetts.
On July 31, 2024, Loewe was arrested after leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase following a vehicle theft. Post-release from state custody, he committed three bank robberies, using the proceeds to fuel his crack cocaine habit. He admitted this during his subsequent arrest.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher emphasized the gravity of straw-purchasing, noting how it circumvents federal firearm safety measures and arms criminals who cannot be traced as purchasers. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the ATF, Vermont State Police, Springfield PD, and others.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Corinne Smith and Jonathan Ophardt, with Loewe represented by Assistant Federal Defender Steven Barth. This sentence sends a stark message to those who think they can circumvent the law through criminal enterprise.
Related Federal Cases
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- Colchester Man Found Guilty of Crack Cocaine, Gun, and Robbery Schemes · Massachusetts
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Key Facts
- State: Vermont
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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