Perkinsville man pleads guilty in Springfield robberies

A 38-year-old Perkinsville man faces up to 8 years in prison after admitting to a string of armed robberies in Springfield, Vt.


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Perkinsville man pleads guilty to 2016 armed robberies of pharmacy, bank | December 22, 2017 Facebook Twitter Google+ Share BURLINGTON, Vt. — The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Michael Bickford, 38, formerly of Perkinsville, pleaded guilty Monday, Dec. 18, in the United States District Court in Burlington to charges stemming from the Dec. 5, 2016 armed robbery of the River Street Pharmacy in Springfield, Vermont. Bickford also admitted to the armed robberies of the Windsor County South Credit Union in Springfield, Vermont on Oct.18, 2016 and the Mascoma Savings Bank in Springfield, Vermont on Nov. 10, 2016. Bickford, who has been detained since his federal arrest in May of 2017, appeared before District Judge William K. Sessions III and pleaded guilty to robbery and carrying and using a firearm. As described during the change of plea proceedings, at about 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2016, Bickford entered the River Street Pharmacy located at 100 River St., in Springfield, Vermont, armed with a pistol and wearing a dark-colored mask. Bickford approached the counter, pointed the pistol at a pharmacy employee’s midsection, and demanded prescription medications. While the employee went to get prescription medications, Bickford pointed the pistol at a second employee. After the first employee gave Bickford the prescription medications, Bickford exited. Later that day, law enforcement arrested Bickford and found the loaded pistol in his vehicle, along with the prescription medications and pill bottles stolen from the River Street Pharmacy. During the change of plea proceedings, Bickford also admitted that on Oct. 18, 2016, he robbed the Windsor County South Credit Union located at 383 River St., in Springfield, Vermont. During this robbery, Bickford was armed with a handgun and unlawfully took and obtained about $3,324. Bickford further admitted that on Nov. 10, 2016, he robbed the Mascoma Savings Bank located at 270 River St., in Springfield, Vermont. During this robbery, Bickford was armed with a handgun and unlawfully took and obtained about $12,000. Under federal law, the robbery charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and the charge of using and carrying a firearm carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, but the plea agreement caps Bickford’s sentence at eight years. The sentence will be advised by the federal sentencing guidelines. The case was investigated by the Springfield Police Department, the Weathersfield Police Department, the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department, the Vermont State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation. “This is an excellent example of local, state and federal law enforcement working together to keep our communities safe and bring violent criminals to justice. During this holiday season, we are thankful for our partnership with the F.B.I. and U.S. Attorney’s Office,” said David J. Cahill, Windsor County State’s Attorney. Bickford is represented by Jordana Levine of Marsicovetere & Levine Law Group, P.C. The United States is represented by Assistant United States Attorney John J. Boscia. Perkinsville Man Pleads Guilty in Springfield, Vt., Robberies Staff Report Friday, December 22, 2017 Springfield VT Weathersfield VT Staff Report Burlington – A 38-year-old Perkinsville man faces up to 8 years in prison after admitting to a string of armed robberies in Springfield, Vt. Michael Bickford pleaded guilty on Monday in U.S. District Court in Burlington to robbery and carrying and using a firearm in connection with the the Dec. 5, 2016, robbery of the River Street Pharmacy, according to a news release Friday from the U.S. Attorney’s Office. As part of the change of plea proceedings Savings Bank in Springfield on Nov. 10 of that year, the news release said. Prosecutors said he entered the pharmacy with a pistol and wearing a dark-colored mask, pointed the gun at two employees and demanded prescription drugs. He was arrested later that day, and police found him with a loaded gun and the stolen drugs, the news release said. Authorities said he robbed the credit union of about $3,325 while armed with a gun, and obtained about $12,000 in the bank robbery, in which he also used a handgun. Although the robbery charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and the using a firearm charge a maximum of life in prison, Bickford’s plea deal calls for his sentence to be capped at 8 years, the news release said. Bickford has been in federal custody since May.