The man accused of mugging a young woman at gunpoint on West Wheelock Street in March was arraigned Monday in Lebanon District Court, after he was extradited by order of the governors of New Hampshire and Vermont.
Gerian Silva, 22, of White River Junction, Vt., was arrested in his home state on April 3, but refused to waive his extradition rights and remained in custody in Vermont until Saturday, according to Hanover Police Detective Sergeant Frank Moran.
Since Silva refused extradition, the governors of both New Hampshire and Vermont had to sign an extradition warrant allowing his transport to New Hampshire. "There's a definite procedure that has to be followed," Moran said. "It's time consuming."
Silva remains in custody with bail set at $75,000 cash. He could not enter a plea at the Lebanon District Court because they do not handle pleas in felony matters, Moran said.
Silva is charged with robbing a woman at gunpoint in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 12 near Ledyard Bridge. Police released two versions of a composite sketch of the suspect before Silva's arrest.
Silva's attorney Michael Kainen previously told The Dartmouth that Silva was with his ex-girlfriend Rebecca Wheeler at that time, and his arrest was a case of mistaken identity.
Kainen said the police sketch of the suspect could have been inaccurate because the assault occurred at night. He also suggested that informants against Silva may have had personal motivations for leading police to him.
"It could have been Rebecca Wheeler's ex-boyfriend or someone else who has a problem with Silva," Kainen said.
At the time of his arrest, The Valley News reported that Silva's criminal record included misdemeanor convictions in 1992 and 1993 for petty larceny, possession of stolen property, simple assault and three probation violations.
Windsor County Deputy State's Attorney Will Porter told The Dartmouth in a previous interview that Silva tried to leave in his car when Hanover Police arrived at his home on April 3.
Since Hanover Police do not have the power to make arrests in Vermont, they called the Hartford police, who detained and arrested Silva.
Moran said Silva will face a grand jury for indictment sometime this month.
