Burlington, Vermont – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont announced that Samuel Blatt, 33, from Colchester, Vermont, was sentenced on May 30, 2025. Chief United States District Judge Christina Reiss sentenced Blatt to 49 additional months in prison followed by a three-year supervised release period. Blatt has been in state custody since his arrest on March 15, 2024. Additionally, he was ordered to pay $14,100 in restitution after pleading guilty to robbing the Union Bank in Johnson, Vermont on March 5, 2024.
Court records reveal that between February 28 and March 14, 2024, Blatt robbed four banks and attempted a fifth robbery in Vermont. On February 28, he demanded money at M&T Bank in Essex using a note specifying “No dye packs,” obtaining about $1,000. On March 5 at Union Bank in Johnson, he acquired approximately $5,300 after stating it was not a joke and demanding all the money. His attempt at Community Bank in Burlington on March 13 failed when employees did not comply with his demands.
Blatt also robbed TD Bank in Winooski on March 13 by displaying a note requesting various denominations without dye packs and received around $600. On March 14 at North Country Federal Credit Union in Alburgh, he used a note demanding cash and obtained approximately $7,200.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher praised the investigation efforts of multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; local police departments; sheriff’s departments; and Homeland Security Investigations.
The prosecution team consisted of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin Owyang and Jason Turner while Blatt’s defense was managed by Assistant Federal Defender Sara Puls.
