LEBANON — Ryan Buckley, 35, was arraigned on January 16, following an indictment by a federal grand jury in Rutland, Vermont, charging him with possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony. Buckley, who is currently facing state charges, consented to detention in this federal case.
Court records detail an incident on June 27, 2023, where police found Buckley unconscious in his truck at a Chester, Vermont baseball field, with a handgun in his lap.
After being awakened and disarmed by police, Buckley admitted to recent methamphetamine use, having a felony conviction, and knowing his prohibition from possessing firearms.
A search of his vehicle revealed suspected methamphetamine.
Buckley’s subsequent arrest on July 29, 2023, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, led to further admissions regarding stolen firearms and involvement in moving numerous firearms into a Killington, Vermont storage unit.
A police search of the storage unit yielded 19 firearms and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Buckley’s criminal history includes felonies related to motor vehicle operation, trespassing, and drug possession.
If convicted, Buckley faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the United States Code will guide any sentence.
The United States Attorney’s Office stresses that an indictment is merely an allegation and that Buckley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
