The shooting of a Massachusetts police officer in the face has sparked a federal investigation

The shooting of a Massachusetts police officer in the face has sparked a federal investigation in Vermont into a Northeast Kingdom man that authorities say illegally bought 16 firearms that often ended up in the hands of violent out-of-state criminals. Jacob Spencer, 37, formerly of Sutton, is charged with making false statements about his drug use when buying the 16 handguns in Chittenden, Caledonia and Essex County gun shops between September 2022 and April of this year, records show. Spencer was due to appear for his initial hearing in U.S. District Court on Thursday afternoon. He was lodged at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans on Tuesday afternoon. ATF Task Force member James Loomis said six handguns were bought at The Gun Shop on Vermont 114 in East Haven and four more Glock pistols were obtained at Rite Way Sports on Vermont 15 in Hardwick. Six other Glock pistols were allegedly purchased at the Powderhorn Outdoor Sports Center on U.S. 2 in Williston, Loomis said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia A.P. Cowles has filed a motion looking to have Spencer detained as both a danger to the community and a risk to flee. He is eligible for detention under federal law because his case involves possession or use of a firearm.