In a case that has captured the attention of Rutland City, a former police sergeant has been placed on probation following a shooting incident that resulted in two men being wounded. The incident, which took place in 2023, involved Andrew Plemmons, a 47-year-old officer, who discharged his firearm while on duty, striking the men.
According to the Vermont attorney general’s office, Plemmons entered a guilty plea for a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment. The verdict, delivered by Vermont Superior Court in Rutland, includes a probation period of two years and mandates 100 hours of community service. The court stipulated that Plemmons would avoid jail time if he adheres to the probation terms, though non-compliance could result in up to a year in prison.
Plemmons had been on paid administrative leave since charges were filed by the attorney general in October 2024. Rutland City Police Sgt. Richard Caravaggio confirmed Plemmons’ resignation from the force, effective last Saturday. Caravaggio noted the protocol of waiting for criminal charges to be resolved before considering further departmental investigations.
Attempts to reach Plemmons’ attorney for comments were unsuccessful as of Monday. Previous court documents, as reported by VTDigger, reveal that Plemmons faced charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon alongside reckless endangerment. His actions during the 2023 incident involved firing at two brothers from Massachusetts, potentially leading to a 16-year prison sentence had he been convicted on all charges.
The court records indicate Plemmons, along with another officer, approached a vehicle deemed “suspicious” and requested to search it. After one brother attempted to flee, Plemmons fired into the vehicle, wounding him. When the second brother took over and continued to drive, Plemmons fired again. The attorney general’s office pursued charges, concluding that Plemmons’ use of force against the second brother was “not justified”.
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This article has been initially published by VTDigger and is shared under a partnership with The Associated Press.
