Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook. BENNINGTON â A man pleaded not guilty Friday to 45 new charges stemming from complaints that he defrauded people across the country in deals involving hay, maple syrup, farm equipment and collectible model cars. The man, Richard Blackmer, 39, denied multiple felony and misdemeanor counts of false pretenses. These bring his total criminal charges in one Bennington County case to 75, which altogether expose him to a maximum penalty of 600 years in prison. Blackmer, a Shaftsbury resident during the alleged crimes, earlier pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of false pretenses as well as bad checks. At the hearing Friday, Blackmerâs lawyer said heâll be working with the stateâs attorneyâs office to come up with a resolution that would encompass Blackmerâs various criminal cases. They include an older Bennington County case of home improvement fraud and false pretenses, as well as one in Addison county of felony false pretenses.