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Drug Possession- Brattleboro

Incident: 25WHC002716
Date: May 24th, 2025
Location: Putney Road, Brattleboro Vermont

Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond
Assignment: Governor Highway Safety Grant DUI Campaign


Accused: Christopher Therieau
Age: 34
City & State of Residence: Brattleboro, Vermont

Charges:

1) Possession of Cocaine

Accused: Opal Vandusen
Age: 24
City & State of Residence: Brattleboro, Vermont

Charges:

1) Possession of Cocaine

Description: On May 24th, 2025 at approximately 2158 hours, the Windham County Sheriff's Office initiated a traffic stop on a silver Subaru Forester after observing a motor vehicle violation. Subsequent investigation led to the arrest of Christopher Therieau for possession of cocaine. As part of the investigation a purse belonging to Opal Vandusen of Brattleboro, Vermont was seized pending the application of a search warrant. Therieau was transported to the Windham County Sheriff's Office to be processed and then released on a criminal citation.

On May 30th, 2025, deputies executed a court ordered search warrant on a purse and located a small amount of suspected crack cocaine. On June 5th, 2025 Opal Vandusen was located and issued a criminal citation to appear before the Vermont Superior Court- Criminal Division- Windham Unit at a later date.

Court Date: July 22nd, 2025
Bail: N/A

Manhunt ends in arrest on warrant

Incident: 25WHC002889
Date: 6/5/25
Location: US Rt 5-Westminster
Investigating Deputy: Det. Sgt. M. Checchi, Deputy J. Cohen, Deputy T. Raymond, Deputy I. Tuttle.

Accused: James R. Rowe
Age: 53
City & State of Residence: Putney, VT

Charges: Arrest on Warrant

Description: On June 5th, 2025, at approximately 1 pm, the Windham County Sheriff's Office received information regarding the whereabouts of a wanted male in the area of Faith's Ford on US Rt. 5 in Westminster, VT. Deputies attempted to contact the male, identified as James Rowe of Putney, VT. Rowe fled from deputies on foot across an open farm field and into a wooded area along the Connecticut River.

Area schools were notified of a police presence in the area by the Windham County Sheriff's Office. Rowe had an active arrest warrant for a furlough violation. Rowe's underlining conviction was for Sexual Assault on a Minor.

The Windham County Sheriff's Office was assited by Bellows Falls Police Department, Vermont State Police, Walpole (NH) Police Department, and Windsor County Sheriff's Office-K9 Unit. Officers in a boat on the Connecticut River were able to spot Rowe on an embankment in Westminster, VT. Rowe was taken into custody without incident by deputies shortly after. This case is under investigation currently and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Court Date: N/A
Bail: Held on DOC Commissioners arrest warrant.

Fentanyl Trafficking Arrests-Dummerston

Incident: 25WHC002957
Date: June 8th, 2025
Location: I91 northbound MM 14-Dummerston, VT
Investigating Deputy: Det. Sgt. M. Checchi, Deputy 1st Class I. Tuttle, Deputy T. Raymond

Accused: Joseph R. Kahlenbeck
Age: 57
City & State of Residence: Claremont, NH

Accused: Ronald P. Laroche
Age: 34
City & State of Residence: Claremont, NH

Charges: Trafficking Fentanyl, Fentanyl-Transporting into the State

Description: On June 8th, 2025, at approximately 0220 hours, a deputy with the Windham County Sheriff's Office assigned to a highway safety detail observed a vehicle operating erratically northbound on Interstate 91. The Deputy conducted a traffic stop near MM 14 in the Town of Dummerston.

During the course of the investigation, deputies developed probable cause of criminal activity occurring. As a result of the investigation, the operator Joseph R. Kahlenbeck and passenger Ronald P. Laroche were found to be concealing over 100 glassine bags of Fentanyl between them both. Probable cause was further developed that the Fentanyl was brought into the State of Vermont via Interstate 91 from out of state.

Both males were arrested for Trafficking Fentanyl and Fentanyl-Transporting into the State and processed at the Windham County Sheriff's Office. Both males were released on criminal citations to
appear at a later date.

Court Date: 7/29/25
Bail: N/A

Crash-Multiple charges-Westminster

Incident: 25WHC002694
Date: 5/23/25
Location: Back Westminster Rd. Westminster, VT
Investigating Deputy: Det. Sgt. M. Checchi

Accused: Nathan T. Boily
Age: 56
City & State of Residence: Westminster, VT

Charges: DUI #2; Leaving the scene of a crash; Negligent operation

Description: On May 23rd, 2025, at approximately 1912 hours, deputies with the Windham County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported motor vehicle crash on Back Westminster Rd in Westminster, VT. Upon arrival to the area, deputies located a single vehicle off the roadway and unoccupied.

A deputy located a male walking a short distance away. Also located was another motor vehicle, just north of the previous vehicle, that had sustained heavy rear end impact damage.

As a result of the investigation, the operator of the first vehicle, identified as Nathan T. Boily, was arrested for DUI. Investigation revealed that Boily, operating a motor vehicle and traveling south on Back Westminster Rd, struck a vehicle in traffic and left the scene without providing any information to the other operator. Boily and his vehicle, after continuing to drive south, left the roadway and into a ditch alongside Back Westminster Rd.

Boily was transported to the Bellows Falls Police Department for processing. As a result, Boily is charged with DUI #2, Leaving the scene of a crash, and negligent operation. He was issued a criminal citation and lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility to be held until sober.

Court Date: 7/8/25
Bail: N/A

Negligent Operation and Excessive Speed in Westminster

Incident: 25WHC002741
Date: 06/26/25
Location: I 91 SB near Exit 5, Westminster
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Andrew R. Violette
Age: 19
City & State of Residence: E Longmeadow, MA

Charges: 1) Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
2) Excessive Speed

Description: On 05/26/25 at approximately 1600 hours, Andrew R. Violette was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after the vehicle he was operating was observed traveling 106 mph in the posted 65 mph speed zone on I-91 just north of Exit 5. Andrew was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. He was also issued a traffic ticket for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 07/29/25
Bail: N/A

Excessive Speed in Rockingham

Incident: 25WHC002705
Date: 05/24/25
Location: Rockingham Rd, Rockingham
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Matthew D. Maia
Age: 27
City & State of Residence: Brookhaven, NY

Charges: Excessive Speed

Description: On 05/24/25 at approximately 1715 hours, Matthew D. Maia was arrested after the vehicle he was operating was observed to be traveling 84 mph in the posted 50 mph speed zone on Rockingingham Rd in Rockingham. Matthew was released from the scene on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. He was also issued a traffic ticket for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 07/29/25
Bail: N/A

Negligent Operation and Excessive Speed in Dummerston

Incident: 25WHC002656
Date: 05/21/25
Location: I 91 N, Dummerston
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Christian Silver
Age: 19
City & State of Residence: Charlestown, NH

Charges:

1) Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle
2) Excessive Speed

Description: On 05/21/25 at approximately 1815 hours, Christian Silver was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after the vehicle he was operating was observed driving 100 mph in the posted 65 mph speed zone on I-91 in Dummerston. Christian was released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. He was also issued a traffic ticket for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 07/08/25
Bail: N/A

Arrest for Criminal DLS

Incident: 25WHC002473
Date: 05/12/2025
Location: Pond Rd Vernon VT
Investigating Deputy: David S. Gaillardetz

Accused: Timothy George Ellis
Age: 53
City & State of Residence: Vernon VT

Charges: Driving While Suspended-Criminally

Description: On 05/12/2025 at approximately 1437 hours, Timothy George Ellis was involved in a very minor rear end accident in which he hit a vehicle in front of him while it was stopped. The incident happened just down the road from Mr Ellis residence. Both vehicles ended up at his residence in the driveway. Further Investigation revealed that Ellis privilege to drive in Vermont was suspended criminally. Ellis was then issued a Criminal Citation to appear into the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date.

Court Date: 07/01/2025
Bail: N/A

Criminal DLS - Vernon

Incident: 25WHC002421
Date: 05/08/2025
Location: Route 142, Vernon, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond

Accused: Cameron Johnson
Age: 28
City & State of Residence: Putney, Vermont

Charges:

1) Driving with a criminally suspended license

Description: On May 8th, 2025 at approximately 1440 hours, a deputy with the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Cameron Johnson for driving with a criminally suspended license. Johnson was transported to the Windham County Sheriff's Office and processed. Johnson was then released on a citation to appear at the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division, at a later date.




Court Date: 07/08/2025
Bail: N/A

Multiple Charges - Westminster

Incident: 25WHC002451
Date: May 10th, 2025
Location: Interstate 91, Westminster, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond, Detective Sergeant Mario Checchi, Deputy First Class Ian Tuttle

Accused: David Thibodeau Jr
Age: 45
City & State of Residence: Hartland, Vermont

Charges:

1) Driving under the influence 2nd offense
2) Criminal Refusal
3) Excessive Speed
4) Negligent operation of a motor vehicle

Description: On May 10th, 2025 at approximately 2236 hours a deputy observed a vehicle traveling south on Interstate 91 in the area of Exit 5 at a high rate of speed. The deputy confirmed the vehicles speed to be 110 miles per hour in a posted 65 mile per hour area.

A traffic stop was conducted and signs of impairment were observed from Thibodeau. Thibodeau refused testing and based off the totality of the circumstances was placed under arrest. Thibodeau was processed at the Bellows Falls Police Department and issued a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. Thibodeau was then released to a sober adult

Court Date: 05/27/2025
Bail: N/A