Milton man accused of stealing over $18K from Moretown couple's credit union account

August 4, 2026  |  Eric Blaisdell  |  The Times Argus

BARRE — A Milton man is accused of defrauding a Moretown couple out of over $18,000.

Tyrin A. Smith, 22, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Washington County criminal court in Barre to felony counts of identity theft, computer fraud, grand larceny, false pretenses and false personation, as well as misdemeanor counts of possessing stolen property and possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. If convicted, Smith faces a maximum sentence of 46 years in prison. He was ordered held on a probation violation, which he has denied, and was housed at Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury as of Monday.

Trooper David Lambert, of the Vermont State Police, said in his affidavit a fraud report came in July 28. Lambert said the victim, a Moretown resident, reported someone had made two fraudulent transfers from his and his wife’s East Rise Credit Union account, totaling $18,002.46.

The trooper said the victim reported he received a call on July 24 from a number listed online for the credit union. The victim reported he was asked about a couple charges on his credit card from the state of Georgia and responded he did not make those charges, according to court records. Lambert said the victim reported he was asked to verify his account over text message and reported he received a verification text from the credit union and clicked on a link to verify his account log in.

The trooper said the victim later realized the caller was not from the credit union and had gained access to his accounts. The victim reported $9,250.01 was transferred out of his account without his permission on July 24 and another $8,752.05 was taken the next day, according to court records. Lambert said the victim then reported the fraud to the credit union.

The trooper said he spoke with an employee at the credit union, who reported the money was transferred to another account at the credit union that was opened July 24 in Colchester. He said the name on the account that received the funds was “Caesar Gonzalez” with a Connecticut driver’s license provided.

Lambert said he went to the home in Winooski listed on the new account and saw a person who matched “Gonzalez’s” description. He said he approached the male and asked him if he was “Caesar,” but the male identified himself as Smith.

The trooper said Smith denied any knowledge about the fraud, but appeared to be the same person who opened the account at the credit union in Colchester according to surveillance footage. He noted Smith has a tattoo under his right eye, which matched the image seen on the Connecticut driver’s license and in the footage.

He said Smith was arrested and was found with $7,550 in cash and two cellphones. Lambert said Smith continued to deny any knowledge about the fraud.

Lambert said investigators obtained a search warrant for the home in Winooski. He said troopers found a backpack inside that contained multiple bank cards and identification, including identification from Connecticut with the name “Caesar Gonzalez” on it, along with a social security card with Smith’s name.

Lambert said police also located a 9mm handgun in the backpack with a loaded magazine. He said the gun had been reported stolen to police at the University of Vermont in March 2025. The trooper noted Smith is prohibited from possessing a gun.

That’s because Smith pleaded guilty in Chittenden County criminal court in April 2024 to a felony count of burglary into an occupied dwelling. He received a sentence of two to five years, all suspended except for a year to serve, and was placed on probation for five years, according to court records.