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Large Gun Bust in Addison County

Orwell, Vermont - October 9, 2009

A two week investigation spear-headed by state police in Rutland to the arrest of an Addison County man who now faces felony counts of both possessing and cultivating marijuana.

But, what was also seized in the raid is raising eyebrows and could lead to federal charges.

Police searched Michael Shaw's auto body shop in Orwell Thursday looking for marijuana plants, which they found. Police then searched his home where they found more pot and a cache of weapons.

Rifles cover an entire table at the State Police barracks in Rutland. The guns were seized from a safe at the home of Michael Shaw, a convicted felon. Police searched the home after finding multiple pot pants at Shaw's repair shop in Orwell. A tip from a concerned citizen in the Rutland area led police to Shaw and helped them get search warrants.

"We executed them both yesterday. We first hit the shop over on Needham Road followed by obtaining additional information from that search warrant which lead to obtaining a second search warrant for his house netting to the seizure of more marijuana and the fire arms," said Lt. David Notte of the Vermont State Police.

Police seized a total of 32 guns at Shaw's property. Several pounds of processed marijuana and 27 plants were also seized in the two raids. Police say they have been stepping up their efforts in the Rutland area to combat illegal drug use and say Thursday's arrest is a sign the crackdown is working.

"The efforts by local county and state police have made a dent in drug activity in and around Rutland City. This is one of those investigations that lead us out of our county and into another county and hopefully will put a dent into their activity up there," said Notte.

As of right now, Shaw is only convicted of two felonies, possessing and cultivating marijuana. But because Shaw is a felon and not permitted to have any weapons, police have notified the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which could lead to additional charges at the federal level.

Police are still trying to figure out why Shaw had the guns. They do not believe he was a part of an organized gang, and they do not believe he was selling the guns. Police say he may have been trading the weapons for pot, or simply collecting them.

The investigation into the case is ongoing.