Source: US FBI
Burlington, Vermont – The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont announced that a federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment charging Todd Hoyte, 54, of Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, with making interstate threats and stalking. Hoyte was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on April 1, 2025, in Saint Thomas. Hoyte initially appeared in federal court in the U.S. Virgin Islands where he was ordered detained.
Hoyte entered a plea of not guilty to the charges during an arraignment in the District of Vermont on May 29, 2025 before United States Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle. Judge Doyle ordered that Hoyte continue pretrial detention during the pendency of this matter.
According to court records, between July 29, 2024 and September 25, 2024, Hoyte left numerous
voicemails for Victim-1, who worked in Vermont. The voicemails which were harassing, threatening, and intimidating, were made from outside of Vermont. Hoyte left the voicemails on Victim-1’s work phone, Victim-1’s voicemail box, and the voicemail box of the Vermont Department of Public Service. The voicemails included threats to injure Victim-1.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that an indictment contains allegations only and that Hoyte is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. Hoyte faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment on each count if convicted. The actual sentence, however, would be determined by the District Court with guidance from the advisory United States Sentencing Guidelines and the statutory sentencing factors.
Acting United States Attorney Michael P. Drescher commended the investigatory efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and thanked the U.S. Marshals Service.
The prosecutors are Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan A. Ophardt and Zachary Stendig. Hoyte is represented by Assistant Federal Defender Emily Kenyon.