New Hampshire Man Charged with Assaulting Deputy U.S. Marshal in Vermont

Christopher Palermo, 49, of Andover, New Hampshire, has been charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a federal officer in Vermont. Palermo appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on June 23, 2026, and was ordered detained pending trial.

According to court records, the incident occurred on April 24, 2026, at a residence in Groton, Vermont. A Deputy U.S. Marshal and Vermont State Police Troopers were attempting to arrest Palermo, who had multiple extraditable arrest warrants from New Hampshire state courts. Palermo attempted to flee on foot and resisted arrest after being apprehended.

During the attempt to secure Palermo in a VSP cruiser, he bit the Deputy U.S. Marshal on the bicep, causing injury. The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that the complaint contains allegations only, and Palermo is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

If convicted, Palermo faces up to 20 years of imprisonment. First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt is prosecuting the case, and thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation for its assistance.