Cops: 66 more charges in farm-related fraud case

BENNINGTON, Vt. — Vermont State Police have filed dozens more fraud charges against a Shaftsbury man, accusing him of defrauding people in deals involving hay, maple syrup, farm equipment and collectible model cars.

Richard Blackmer, Jr., 38, was initially arrested in April, after a monthslong investigation involving police in Vermont, Massachusetts and New York. He had pleaded not guilty to 30 charges, the Bennington Banner reported. He’s accused of defrauding at least two dozen people in eight states from around 2013 until early this year.

Police announced Thursday that they have filed 66 new charges against him. They include 45 additional counts of false pretenses, 20 new counts of bad checks and one count of identity theft, Vermont State Police said. The charges have been filed with the Bennington County state’s attorney, police said.

Blackmer would get customers to buy additional deliveries of hay and require them to pay up front, often saying he was giving them deals and then fail to deliver the hay after he got the payment, police said.

He also defrauded people of maple syrup, farm equipment and collectible miniature race cars, police said.

Blackmer is out of jail on a $10,000 secured appearance bond, with conditions including that he not engage in business dealings through social media or enter into any contract greater than $500 unless he has court approval, according to court records.

The office of the Bennington County state’s attorney said it will review the police report and expects to file more charges against Blackmer.

It was not immediately known if Blackmer is being represented by an attorney. No phone listing exists in his name.