Man Charged with Robbing Wallingford Convenience Store at Knifepoint

 The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Joey Miles Sherwood, 31, of Center Rutland, Vermont, was arrested yesterday for the August 1, 2021 knifepoint robbery of the Cumberland Farms convenience store in Wallingford, Vermont.  Sherwood will be appearing this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle for his Initial Appearance after he was charged by Criminal Complaint with Interference with Commerce by Robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951.  Sherwood is currently detained pending his initial appearance, and the government has requested his detention pending trial.

According to court records, on August 1, 2021, Sherwood is alleged to have entered the Cumberland Farms in Wallingford, retrieved a soda from a drink cooler, approached the cashier, and asked for two packs of cigarettes.  As the cashier rang up the sale, Sherwood allegedly produced a knife and demanded money.  The robbery netted $156 in cash, and $21 in merchandise.  Sherwood is the suspect in five additional knifepoint robberies of convenience stores in Rutland and Addison counties that occurred in July and August of 2021.

Court records reflect that Sherwood is on conditions of pretrial release for a 2020 arrest in New Hampshire for Attempted Felonious Sexual Assault, for a March 2021 arrest in Rutland County for Burglary and Possession of Stolen Property, and for a May 2021 arrest in Addison County for Aiding in the Commission of a Burglary.   

The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the charge against Sherwood is merely an accusation and that he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

If convicted of the charged offense, Sherwood could face up to twenty years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and a period of federal supervised release. Any sentence will be formulated through consultation of the United States Sentencing Guidelines and consideration of Sherwood’s personal history and characteristics. 

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Vermont State Police, and the coordination and assistance provided by the Brandon Police Department, the Middlebury Police Department, and the Rutland City Police Department.  

Acting United States Attorney Jonathan Ophardt is prosecuting the case for the government. Sherwood has not yet retained or been appointed counsel.