Press Releases

Reading Resident Sentenced To Prison For Reckless Endangerment And Simple Assault With A Weapon

CONTACT: Cathy Norman, Assistant Attorney General, (802) 828-5512

July 22, 2010

The Vermont Attorney General's Office announced today that, on July 20, 2010, in Windsor Superior Court, Criminal Division, Jeffrey R. Ely, was sentenced to two to four years imprisonment for reckless endangerment and three counts of simple assault with a weapon.

According to documents filed with the Court, the charges arose from an incident that occurred in November 2008, when Ely attended a social gathering at a residence in Hartland, Vermont. A physical altercation ensued between one of the residents of the property and Ely. Ely was asked by residents to leave the property.

Ely left but returned shortly afterwards carrying a semi-automatic pistol. Another altercation took place between Ely and several young men who attempted to disarm him. During this altercation, multiple shots were fired from the semi-automatic weapon. Three twenty-one year old males were transported to local hospitals and treated for gunshot wounds. Ely fled the scene. He was arrested later in the day and transported to Mount Ascutney Hospital, where he too was treated for a gunshot wound.

Ely was on probation at the time he committed the above offenses and, as part of the plea agreement, his probation was revoked and he was sentenced to concurrent time in prison.