Press Releases

Incident: 20WHC002175 & 20WHC002076
Date: 06/28/20
Location: VT Route 30, Newfane Village
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton

Accused #1: Miteshkum Patel
Age: 20
City & State of Residence: Jersey City, NJ

Accused #2: Vinay Kathiria
Age: 21
City & State of Residence: Belleville, NJ

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

Description: On 06/28/20 at approximately 1205 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Miteshkum Patel and Vinay Kathiria after Sgt. Norton observed the two vehicles they were operating pass the line of cars they were following and accelerate to 67 mph in the posted 30 mph speed zone in the village. Following the traffic stop both operators were released on citations to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date. Both were also issued civil traffic tickets for the speed violations. The speed violations carry a possibility of 8 points on their VT privilege to operate and a waiver penalty of $558.

Court Date: 08/25/20
Bail: N/A

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Like so many of you, I have been trying to understand the policing issues and actions that have been highlighted across the nation for the past three weeks. As the Sheriff of Windham County, I lead a department that strives to build relationships on a foundation of respect and on trust so that we can serve our communities in a fair and impartial manner. I can speak for all members of the Windham County Sheriff’s Office in saying we condemn the actions and inactions of the officers involved in the killing of George Floyd. But condemnation is not enough. As law enforcement professionals, we must be listening constantly to you in communities that we serve; communities of which we are also members. I do not have the answers to explain the behavior that we have witnessed in Minneapolis, but I am willing to explore the problems as they appear here in Windham County, and to work with you to collectively develop better policy, training, and practice.

A common theme I’ve picked out of the conversations is an “us versus them” dynamic. Like many people I’ve talked to, I see division of friends, neighbors, and community members. I also see it in national politics, a variety of media coverage, and on social media. There is in-fighting amongst us over a variety of serious issues including climate change, systemic racism, and constitutional rights. Those of us educated in the philosophy of community policing know that “us versus them” is one of the most important obstacles to overcome.

Today’s philosophy of community policing has its origins in the 1829 British Metropolitan Police Service and with Sir Robert Peel. Peel understood that the success of the Metro Police was not dependent on the conquering of the criminal, but on cooperation, trust, and being on the same team as the people they served. One of Peel’s principles stated in part, “the police are the public and that the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”

It is not hard for me to stand in solidarity against police brutality. It violates the trust we work hard to build and maintain. I stand here seeking to answer the questions of how we find unity? Does the professional ethic of the Windham County Sheriff’s Office meet the needs of our community? Does the law enable or exclude us from being part of the community? These and other questions are what I seek to answer moving forward by creating the Sheriff’s Advisory Council.

In the next article, I’ll talk about how the community policing model implemented at the Windham County Sheriff’s Office works, our policies, training, and philosophies, and what we’ve done to work towards unity over the last fifteen years. I believe that before my department and the community can implement change, our stakeholders must have an understanding of where we currently stand.

Mark Anderson was appointed as the sheriff of Windham County in July 2019, having worked with the department since 2004. He is a member of the Vermont Criminal Justice Training Council and previously certified as a use of force instructor and a field training officer. If you would like to share a prospective related to this, please contact him at sheriff (at) windhamcountyvt.gov.

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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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