Former U.S. Attorney Found with Gun at Courthouse
By Michael Donoghue - Vermont News First
A former high-profile U.S. Attorney for Vermont was found with a handgun trying to enter a state courthouse recently in Brattleboro, but officials are trying to keep the information from the public, Vermont News First has learned.
Christina E. Nolan, 45, arrived at the Vermont Superior Court in Brattleboro and during the process of getting screened, security determined she had a firearm, according to a source familiar with the incident, but not authorized to speak by name on the case.
The Brattleboro Reformer also was able to confirm the gun story, but said most people were unwilling to speak publicly about the incident, including Windham County State’s Attorney Steven M. Brown Jr.
The newspaper reported Brown, who was appointed in November 2024, said he considered the Nolan case to be in a pre-charge phase and believed he was unable to speak about it.
Brown reportedly had offered Nolan a chance to go through the Court Diversion Program, but she apparently declined.
Vermont law prohibits people from knowingly carrying firearms and other dangerous weapons into state courthouses. The potential penalty is up to one year in prison and up to a $500 fine.
Nolan did not respond to phone and text messages. She is now a principal with the Burlington law firm Sheehey Furlong and Behm.
Chief Superior Court Judge Thomas Zonay and Vermont Chief Court Administrator Teri Corsones both failed to return phone or text messages from Vermont News First.
Rob Schell, the chief of security for the Vermont Judiciary, also did not respond to inquiries.
Nolan could find herself soon as the boss to Zonay, Corsones and Schell if she is successful in getting appointed to the Vermont Supreme Court.
Nolan’s name has been circulated recently to possibly fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Vermont Supreme Court Justice Karen Carroll, 62, of Vernon. Carroll is stepping down this month and an announcement on her replacement is due shortly from Gov. Phil Scott. She spent 12 years on the trial bench and 8 years at the Supreme Court.
While trying to fill the Carroll seat, Gov. Scott now will have a second vacancy on the high court to replace. Associate Justice William D. Cohen, 68, of Rutland has announced he is retiring in December after 16 years on the bench, including 6 years on the high court.
Nolan also has been mentioned as possibly returning to her old job in charge at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Vermont.
The private security firm that works at the courthouse in Brattleboro called town police to handle the gun case instead of the Windham County Sheriff’s Department, according to Sheriff Mark Anderson. His office normally deals with people bringing dangerous items into the courthouse, he told the Brattleboro Reformer.
Brattleboro Police were referring inquiries to Brown, according to the newspaper.
As the U.S. Attorney for Vermont, Nolan put a high priority on prosecuting federal cases involving the illegal possession and purchase of firearms. She also handled drug trafficking, organized crime and child exploitation cases.
Her office also was involved in embezzlement and fraud cases, including the largest charged case in Vermont history relating to the EB-5/Jay Peak financial scandal in the Northeast Kingdom.
Nolan often found herself at odds with Chittenden County State's Attorney Sara George, often filing federal charges when no state charges were being pursued.
Nolan is a native Vermonter, and graduated from Rice Memorial High School, where she is in the Athletic Hall of Fame. She worked at the U.S. Attorney’s office as an assistant prosecutor in the criminal division from 2010 to 2017.
She took over the office from November 2017 to March 2021 after getting the appointment from President Donald J. Trump following the bipartisan recommendation of U.S. Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt. and Republican Gov. Phil Scott.
Nolan was approved unanimously by the U.S. Senate. She was the first woman to ever serve as U.S. Attorney for Vermont.
This story will be updated when officials respond to inquiries.