Press Releases

NEWFANE -- As we continue to weather the pandemic of COVID19, the Windham County Sheriff's Office continues to monitor updates to executive orders to adjust our services while we continue to minimize the spread of the virus.

We are resuming all civilian fingerprinting services by appointments starting Monday, June 8, 2020, with cleaning protocols and a health screening questionnaire prior to being fingerprinted. People will need to bring and wear a mask and a pen to write with, as they will not be provided. Appointment offerings will be expanded to accommodate the back log. Our lobby will be opening as well with limited occupancy.

Deputies will continue to physically respond to emergencies where life, limb, or property are in jeopardy. Deputies will continue to handle non-emergency calls via electronic communication when possible. To minimize exposure to surfaces, we may request people meet us outside of their homes or businesses. Deputies may be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves or masks as a precaution.

Our office continues to monitor the health of all of our employees. Disinfecting and cleaning protocols for our office, vehicles, and equipment are occurring regularly.

Through these trying times, the Windham County Sheriff’s Office will continue to serve the people of Windham County. Be well and be safe.

Respectfully submitted,


Sheriff Mark R. Anderson

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Incident: 20WHC001791
Date: 05/24/2020
Location:Bellows Falls
Investigating Deputy: DFC Devito

Accused: Steven Morway
Age: 31
City & State of Residence: Charlestown, New Hampshire

Charges: False information to a law enforcement officer, Arrest on Warrant.

Description:
On 05/24/2020 at approximately 1442 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office Arrested Steven Morway of Charlestown, New Hampshire for the above charge. The deputy on duty observed several equipment violations and conducted a motor vehicle stop on Green St in Bellows Falls. The subsequent investigation revealed Morway used a fake name and had an active warrant for his arrest. Morway was transported to the Bellows Falls Police Department and released on citations to appear in the Vermont Superior Court Windham Criminal Division at a later date and time to answer for the charge.

Court Date: 07/28/2020
Bail: N/A

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Normally this week we would be reporting to you the kick-off of the annual Click It or Ticket National Law Enforcement Mobilization. However this year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic and the resulting state of emergency declarations all across the country, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has postponed the national two-week campaign.
During the past two months as states all across the country implemented stay-at-home orders to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the number of vehicles travelling on the nation’s roadways was greatly reduced. However, despite there being far fewer vehicles on the road, states across the country have seen a severe spike in speeding and other aggressive driving. This is due in part to law enforcement officers taking a cautionary approach to traffic enforcement in order to avoid close personal contact with motorists. As a result, people are driving faster, and many states have seen a spike in their fatal crash rates.
As people now begin to move around more with stay-at-home orders being gradually lifted, it is expected that motorists will once again take to the roads in advance of the approaching Memorial Day holiday weekend. Therefore, Vermont law enforcement agencies are urging everyone to buckle up and drive safely. For a 10-day period beginning Friday, May 22, 2020, law enforcement officers in Vermont will be on patrol and taking part in a modified 2020 Vermont Click It or Ticket enforcement campaign.
“Even with the pandemic on our minds and social distancing becoming the new normal, we know that Memorial Day is the traditional start of the summer driving season. It is critical that everyone buckles up every time they go out, day and night – no excuses,” said Lieutenant Allen Fortin, Click It or Ticket Task Force Leader for Northern Vermont. “The officers participating in this campaign are prepared to ticket anyone who is not wearing their seat belt, including drivers that have neglected to properly restrain their children. – Click It or Ticket.”
Vermont law enforcement agencies and the Vermont Click It or Ticket Task Force will be using roving patrols and checkpoints on roadways identified as having higher unbelted crash rates. Officers will be looking for Speeding, Aggressive Driving, Distracted Driving, and Impaired Driving violations during this period. These behaviors are the leading causes of serious crashes and for those motorists, wearing your seat belt will NOT be optional.
“The simple act of wearing your seatbelt is the easiest and most effective thing you can do to increase your chances of surviving a crash” said Paul White, Law Enforcement Liaison with the VT State Highway Safety Office. “We want to make this the safest summer possible. Buckling up is not optional; it can mean the difference between life and death in a crash. That is why Vermont law enforcement will be out there enforcing the law. Click it or Ticket, every trip, day or night.”
The 2020 Vermont Click It or Ticket enforcement mobilization will run from Friday May 22nd through Sunday May 31st.

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Incident: 20WHC001733
Date: 05/19/20
Location: 80 E Putney Falls Rd, Putney
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton

Description: On 05/19/20 at approximately 1720 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office was alerted to a vandalism that occurred at 80 E Putney Falls Rd in Putney approximately 20 minutes prior. A small, white SUV (possibly a Subaru Forester) and three people were seen leaving the area. The Windham County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information related to this case to contact Sgt. Norton at (802)365-4942.

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Incident: 20WHC001725
Date: 05/17/2020
Location: Putney, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: DFC Devito

Accused: Justin Packard Sr.
Age: 35
City & State of Residence: Putney, Vermont

Charges: Disorderly Conduct

Description:
On 05/17/2020 at approximately 2028 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Justin Packard Sr. of Putney, Vermont for the above charge. The Deputy on duty as well as the Vermont State Police responded to the area of River Rd S in Putney for a verbal fight in progress. The subsequent investigation found that Packard had threatened the other party while holding a shovel. Packard was issued a criminal citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court Windham Criminal Division at a later date and time to answer for the above charge.

Court Date: 07/28/2020
Bail:n/a

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Incident:
Single car motor vehicle accident

Date:
May 15 2020

Location:Rte 142 / Fort Bridgman Rd, Vernon

Investigating Deputy:
Deputy Ian Gallup

Charges:
No Legal action

Description:
On the afternoon of May 15, 2020, the Windham County Sheriff's Office was advised of a motor vehicle roll over near Governor Hunt Rd on Fort Bridgman Rd in Vernon.

Upon arrival it was found that Christopher Dugan of Brattleboro had crashed into a guardrail and his vehicle rolled onto its side after taking evasive action to miss a vehicle that had drifted into his lane of travel.

The driver was uninjured, however, the vehicle was towed away from the scene.

If anyone witnessed this crash and can offer any information as to the vehicle or the operator of the vehicle that caused this crash, please call the Windham County Sheriff's Office and speak to Deputy Ian Gallup or Sergeant Chris Norton.

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Incident: 20WHC001672
Date: 05/05/2020
Location: Putney Mtn Rd Putney, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: DFC Devito

Accused: Craig A. Dragovich
Age: 43
City & State of Residence: Putney, Vermont

Charges: DUI

Description:
On 05/05/2020 at approximately 1717 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Craig A. Dragovich of Putney, Vermont for Driving Under the Influence. The Deputy on duty observed a suspicious vehicle parked and running on the side of the Putney Mtn Rd. The Deputy approached the operator and observed indicators of impairment. The subsequent investigation lead to Dragovich's arrest. Dragovich was transported to the Vermont State Police barracks in Westminster for processing and released on citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court Windham Criminal Division at a later date and time to answer for the above charge.

Court Date: 07/28/2020
Bail: N/A

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Incident: 20WHC001641
Date: April 28, 2020
Location: Fort Bridgman Rd, Vernon
Investigating Deputy: Dep Ian Gallup

Description:

On the above date at approximately 4:50 PM the Sheriff's Office received a call of a motorcycle versus car accident in the area of 2145 Fort Bridgman Road.

The investigation revealed that a Vermont registered Ford Mustang belonging to Joseph Hoye, had been traveling southbound, and had to stop when the vehicle in front of it stopped to turn left into a driveway.

The operator of the motorcycle, Caleb Osborne, could not stop in time and crashed into the back of the Mustang.

The motorcycle experienced heavy damage due mostly to the contact with the road surface and the Mustang suffered only minor damage.

The operator of the motorcycle was transported to BMH for his injuries.

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Incident: 20WHC001654
Date: 05/01/2020
Location: West Hill Rd Putney, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: DFC Devito

Accused: Dylan R. Belcourt
Age: 30
City & State of Residence: East Dummerston, Vermont

Charges: DUI

Description:
On 05/01/2020 at approximately 1919 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office responded to the report of a vehicle off the roadway on West Hill Rd in Putney. The Deputy on duty responded to the scene and observed indicators of impairment by the operator. The subsequent investigation lead to Belcourt's arrest for driving under the influence. Belcourt was transported to the Vermont State Police barracks in Westminster for processing and released on citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court Windham Criminal Division at a later date and time.

Court Date:07/28/2020
Bail: N/A

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Incident: 20WHC001536
Date: 4/2/2020
Location:Westminster
Investigating Deputy:Cpl. J. Griffus

Accused: Franklin L. Blunt
Age: 29
City & State of Residence: Dover, Delaware

Charges: Fugitive from Justice

Description: On 4/2/2020 at approximately 14:05 hours, the Windham County Sheriff's Office responded to a suspicious vehicle on Granger St in the Town of Westminster. After an investigation Franklin Blunt, 29, of Dover,DE was arrested on multiple warrants out of the State of Delaware. Blunt was transported to Southern State Correctional Facility in lieu of $50,000 bail.

Court Date: 4/3/2020
Bail: $50,000

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