Executive Summary
- Douglas Reynolds sentenced to 10 years in federal prison.
- Defendant pleaded guilty to assaulting federal law enforcement with a deadly weapon.
- Incident involved a chase exceeding 100 mph across NH and VT lines.
- Reynolds fired a revolver at officers and was wounded by return fire.
BURLINGTON, Vt. — A New Hampshire man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison following a violent high-speed pursuit and exchange of gunfire with law enforcement, according to court rulings handed down in U.S. District Court.
Douglas Reynolds, 37, of Dalton, New Hampshire, received the sentence last week from U.S. District Judge Christina Reiss. Reynolds had previously pleaded guilty to federal charges, including assaulting federal law enforcement with a deadly weapon.
The conviction stems from an incident in October 2024, when Reynolds led police on a pursuit spanning New Hampshire and Vermont. According to law enforcement reports, the chase reached speeds exceeding 100 mph. Authorities stated that the pursuit concluded when Reynolds fired a revolver from his vehicle at the pursuing officers.
Officers returned fire during the confrontation, striking Reynolds in the head. He survived the injury and was subsequently taken into custody to face federal prosecution.
Judicial Implications and Public Safety
This case underscores the severe penalties associated with assaulting federal law enforcement officers and the grave risks posed by high-speed vehicular evasions. The 10-year sentence reflects the federal court’s strict adherence to sentencing guidelines regarding violence against officers and the endangerment of the community. The incident also highlights the operational challenges and lethal force protocols utilized by U.S. Marshals during high-risk apprehensions involving armed suspects. It is important to note that within the American legal system, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
