Burlington
Matthew Martin, 32, took a plea agreement in U.S. District Court in Burlington, and if it is accepted by the court, he will serve 15 years in prison, according to a news release issued by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Acceptance of the plea deal was deferred until his sentencing date, which is scheduled for Feb. 1. Martin pleaded guilty to eight counts of robbery.
He evaded capture for 12 months, disguising himself as a woman during some of the robberies to make it harder for authorities to identify him, the release said.
He ultimately robbed two Springfield, Vt., banks, as well as a bank in Charlestown, before he surrendered in early January 2016 after authorities named him a Fugitive of the Week.
According to the release, Martin began his robbery spree on Jan. 28, 2015, in Springfield, Vt., when he entered Windsor County South Credit Union and indicated to the teller that he had a gun, although he didn’t display one.
Ten days after he robbed the Springfield, Vt., credit union, he held up the Shell gas station in Ludlow, Vt., this time pointing a firearm at the clerk.
Ten days after that incident, on Feb. 17, 2015, he robbed the Citizens Bank in Springfield, Vt. He told the teller he had a gun, but didn’t brandish one, the release said.
Based on the timeline, Martin then laid low for a few months.
He didn’t commit his next robbery until November, when he entered the Greater Falls Pharmacy in Bellows Falls, Vt., and again told the person behind the counter he had a gun, though he didn’t show one.
In December, he robbed four more banks, including the Mascoma Savings Bank in Charlestown, where he displayed a BB gun.
He also robbed the TD Bank North in Loudon, N.H.; People’s United Bank in Brattleboro, Vt.; and Heritage Family Credit Union in Ludlow, Vt., that same month. He brandished a BB gun in all of those robberies.
He turned himself in to police shortly after his last robbery on Dec. 21.
In the release, U.S. Attorney Eric Miller thanked all agencies involved — federal, state and local — for their help in bringing Martin’s case to a close.
Jordan Cuddemi can be reached at jcuddemi@vnews.com or 603-727-3248.