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Regional Policing Public Meeting

Newfane, VT — The Windham County Sheriff’s Office invites the public to attend the Windham County Sheriff’s Regional Policing Initiative’s public meeting, which seeks to improve access to rural law enforcement through shared services across municipalities.

Sheriff Mark Anderson will present his proposal and invite discussion on the initiative. Sheriff Anderson intends to bring this initiative — developed in collaboration with towns, stakeholders, and the public — to the Vermont Legislature in January 2026. This is the fifth and final planned public meeting on the topic, which aims to improve access to law enforcement services in towns that do not have their own police department.

“Under current law, only towns and the State are charged with providing law enforcement services," Sheriff Anderson said. "Our experience is that towns and our constituents expect more. The existing system is generally piecemeal and patchwork, leaving people frustrated."

Sheriff Anderson will host this event to present the existing proposal on:

September 22, 2025 – 5:00 PM
Windham County Courthouse
7 Court Street
Newfane, VT 05345

This meeting will also be available online via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84024576405?pwd=qP8zYPcNGaAMVRbbWQtr6iWetiW0gm.1

Meeting ID: 840 2457 6405
Passcode: 390256

The event is open to the public and is intended to gather feedback about the future of policing in rural Vermont. A follow-up meeting will be hosted based on public feedback, with a proposal for future action.

The push for regionalization is not new. Numerous studies commissioned over several decades by the Legislature, the State, and independent researchers have consistently recommended regional law enforcement services as a necessary step forward for Vermont’s rural communities.

Media Contact:
Sheriff Mark Anderson
manderso@windhamcountyvt.gov
802-365-4942 x151

Excessive Speed and Negligent Operation in Weathersfield

Incident: 25WHC004161
Date: 08/31/25
Location: I 91 N, Weathersfield
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Aaron C. Pitrat
Age: 32
City & State of Residence: Hamden, MA

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

Description: On 08/31/25 at approximately 1050 hours, Aaron C. Pitrat was stopped by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after the vehicle he was operating was observed to be traveling 104 mph in the posted 65 mph zone on I 91 NB in Weathersfield. Aaron was released from the scene on a citation to appear in the Windsor Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. He was also issued a traffic ticket for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 10/14/25
Bail: N/A

Female arrested on Shag Bark Hill - Putney

Incident: 25WHC003840
Date: August 9th, 2025
Location: Shag Bark Hill, Putney, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond, Detective Sergeant Mario Checchi

Accused: Ashley Aubert-Clark
Age: 26
City & State of Residence: Transient, Brattleboro VT

Charges:

1) Arrest on Instate Warrant

Description: On the aforementioned date, Deputies with the Windham County Sheriff's Office learned Ashley Aubert-Clark who was known to have an active instate arrest warrant was located at a residence on Shag Bark Hill Road in Putney, Vermont

Aubert-Clark was located and placed under arrest before being transported to Southern State Correctional Facility where she was held in lieu of $500.

Court Date: August 11th, 2025
Bail: $500

Two arrested on Shag Bark Hill - Putney

Incident: 25WHC003816
Date: August 7th, 2025
Location: Shag Bark Hill, Putney, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond, Detective Sergeant Mario Checchi

Accused: Robert Brown
Age: 38
City & State of Residence: Brattleboro, Vermont
Charges: 1) Arrest on instate warrant

Accused: James Crocker
Age: 42
City & State of Residence: Brattleboro, VT
Charges: 1) Violation of Conditions-Curfew

Description: On the evening of August 7th, 2025, Deputies with the Windham County Sheriff's Office went to a residence on Shag Bark Hill in Putney, Vermont.

Deputies located Robert Brown, who had two active arrest warrants, and took him into custody. Deputies also found James Crocker to be in violation of his court ordered condition of curfew. Crocker was arrested and ordered held on $500 cash or surety bond. Both Brown and Crocker were lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility.

Court Date: 08/08/2025
Bail: $100; $500

Domestic Assault Arrest - Westminster

Incident: 25WHC003731
Date: August 1st, 2025
Location: Davidson Hill Road, Westminster
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond, Detective Sergeant Mario Checchi

Accused: Caleb Crum
Age: 40
City & State of Residence: Westminster, Vermont

Charges:

1) Domestic Assault

2) Unlawful Restraint

Description: On August 1st, 2025 deputies with the Windham County Sheriff's Office responded to a residence for a report of a domestic disturbance.

Subsequent investigation revealed Caleb Crum committed the offense of Domestic Assault and Unlawful Restraint. Crum was later located on August 6th, 2025 and placed under arrest for the aforementioned charges. Crum was processed at the Windham County Sheriff's Office before being transported to Southern State Correctional Facility where he was lodged on $500 bail

Lodged: Southern State Correctional Facility
Court Date: August 8th, 2025
Bail: $500

Criminal DLS - Vernon

Incident: 25WHC003792
Date: July 6th, 2025
Location: Route 142 / Pond Road, Vernon, Vermont
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond

Accused: Timothy Ellis
Age: 52
City & State of Residence: Vernon, Vermont

Charges:

1) Criminal DLS

Description: On the aforementioned date and time a deputy with the Windham County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop in the Town of Vernon after observing a motor vehicle violation.

Subsequent investigation revealed the operator identified as Timothy Ellis of Vernon, Vermont was operating with a criminally suspended license. Ellis was placed under arrest and transported to the Sheriff's Office for processing before being released on a citation to appear at the Windham Superior Court - Criminal Division at a later date.

Court Date: 09/23/2025
Bail: N/A

Aggravated Domestic Assault

Incident:25WHC003811
Date: 08/07/25
Location: Pine Lane Jamaica, VT
Investigating Deputy: David Gaillardetz, Det. SGT. Mario Checchi, Thomas Raymond

Accused: Barry A. Matyas
Age: 45
City & State of Residence: Jamaica Vermont

Charges: 2nd Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault

Description:On August 7th 2025 at approximately 1311 hours, the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Barry A. Matyas for 2nd Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault. The arrest is a result of an investigation initiated by the Windham County Sheriff's Deputies. It was reported that Matyas had assaulted a family member causing serious bodily injury as defined by the statute, at an address on Pine Lane Road. Matyas was processed and ordered held on $ 5,000 cash or surety bond. He was further issued a criminal citation to appear in court on 08/08/25. Matyas was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility.

Court Date: 08/08/25
Bail:$ 5,000 cash or surety bond

Agency Assist DUI Arrest - Brattleboro

Incident: 25WHC003529, 25BB008345
Date: July 15th, 2025
Location: Canal Street, Brattleboro
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond, Officer Turner (Brattleboro Police Department)

Accused: Sean Mcleod
Age: 28
City & State of Residence: Hinsdale NH

Charges:

1) Driving under the influence (Alcohol)

Description: On the aforementioned date a Deputy with the Windham County Sheriff's Office assigned to an overnight paving detail in the Town of Brattleboro, Vermont came in contact with a intoxicated driver. Subsequent investigation revealed that Sean Mcleod had operated a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol rendering him unsafe to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway. Mcleod was placed under arrest by the Brattleboro Police Department.

The Windham County Sheriff's office would like to remind the public to use caution when consuming alcohol before operating a motor vehicle, especially in a work zone.

DUI #1 Arrest - Westminster

Incident: 25WHC003482
Date: July 11th, 2025
Location: Route 5, Westminster
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond

Accused: Anthony Semenuk
Age: 57
City & State of Residence: Enfield, Connecticut

Charges:

1) Driving under the influence first offense

Description: On the aforementioned date, a Deputy with the Windham County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle in Westminster, Vermont after observing several violations. Subsequent investigation revealed indications that the operator identified as Anthony Semenuk was impaired by alcohol. Semenuk was transported to the Bellows Falls Police Department for processing. Semenuk was then released on a citation to appear in court at a later date.

Court Date: July 29th, 2025
Bail: Released

Criminal DLS Arrest - Putney

Incident: 25WHC003396
Date: July 4th, 2025
Location: Route 5, Putney
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Thomas Raymond

Accused: Jayden Cormier
Age: 25
City & State of Residence:

Charges:

1) Criminal DLS

Description: On the Aforementioned date, a deputy with the Windham County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a motor vehicle in the Town of Putney Vermont. Subsequent investigation determined the operator of the vehicle identified as Jayden Cormier was criminally suspended in the State of Vermont. Cormier was placed under arrest and transported to the Windham County Sheriff's Office for processing. Cormier was then released on a citation to appear at the Vermont Superior Court - Criminal Division - Windham Unit at a later date.

Court Date: 08/26/2025
Bail: N/A