BENNINGTON — Tyler Hayes, a 41-year-old resident of Bennington, was indicted for possessing an unregistered bomb, as announced by the United States Attorney’s Office.
The indictment was issued by a federal grand jury in Burlington, and Hayes appeared for his initial hearing in Burlington. U.S. Magistrate Judge Doyle ordered his detention pending trial.
Court records reveal that Hayes crafted the bomb himself, boasting about its potential destructiveness.
He left the explosive in his former home amid eviction proceedings, reportedly without ensuring its security or preventing accidental detonation.
The charge in the indictment is merely an accusation, and Hayes is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
The court will determine the final sentence, guided by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code.
