Press Releases

Windham County Sheriff Mark Anderson has established the Windham County Sheriff’s Advisory, comprised of a group of county residents who will advise him on community needs, interests, and concerns as they relate to the operations in Vermont. While the Advisory has no statutory or oversight responsibility, it was established by Sheriff Anderson, who is committed to the community’s input regarding policing and services provided by the Windham County Sheriff’s Office.

The Sheriff’s Advisory meets the second Monday of each month at noon, currently via ZOOM. Citizens are encouraged to contact the Advisory if there are problems, questions, or other concerns, which need to be addressed by the group. Citizens can also access the meetings to express their concerns. The Advisory is now reviewing the department’s Fair and Impartial Policing Policy to ensure that it addresses the needs, values and concerns of Windham County.

Sheriff Anderson is a life-long resident of Brattleboro and a 2004 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. He began his career with the Windham County Sheriff’s Office. He earned a degree in Business Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is a member of the Vermont Criminal Justice Council, which serves to guide training, policy, and oversight for all of Vermont law enforcement. In July 2019, he was appointed Sheriff of Windham County by Governor Scott.

Members of the Advisory include the following:

Dr. Cliff L. Wood, Chair, a resident of Westminster since 2017, is a retired college administrator/president. He is a volunteer for the Brattleboro Area Hospice, for Loaves and Fishes, an Incorporator for Kurn Hattin Homes and School, a member of the Windham County NAACP, and a volunteer coordinator for a prison ministry at the Southern State Correctional Facility on behalf of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

Lamont Barnett is Windham County Assistant Judge and a Commissioner with the Vermont Housing Finance Agency. He is also a former Select Board Chair of the Town of Rockingham and a veteran of the US Navy. He was born in Bellows Falls.

Chris Day is an Assistant Principal at Brattleboro Union High School and a lifelong resident of Brattleboro.

Steffen Gillom is a doctoral student in psychology at Antioch University and is President of the Windham County NAACP. He serves on numerous boards statewide and in Windham County. He resides in Brattleboro.

John Hagen, the High Bailiff of Windham County, is a retired Air Force Officer. He lives in Guilford and is a Professor at Park University, where he designs adult education programs.

Wendy Harrison is currently the Interim Town Administrator for the Town of Vernon and most recently was Interim Executive Director of the New England Center for Circus Arts (NECCA). A resident of Brattleboro since 2015, she also serves on the Vermont Transportation Board, the Board of Directors of the Southeast Vermont Transit, and the Board of the Brattleboro Outing Club.

Jeff Lewis, photographer, is retired from a career spanning business consulting, circus management, economic development and state policy leadership. He has lived in Brattleboro for 19 years.

Dr. Etan Nasreddin-Longo, orchestral composer, is Co-Director of Fair and Impartial Policing and Community Affairs for the Vermont State Police. A long-time social justice advocate, he is also Chair of the Racial Discrepancies in Criminal Justice Advisory Panel.

Knowles Wentworth is a Police Liaison and Crisis Clinician with HCRS. A resident of Brattleboro since 2007, he came to Vermont to study Conflict Transformation and Peace at the School for International Training (SIT).

The Advisory would like to increase the number of women on the Advisory and add a high school or college student. Persons interested in joining the group are encouraged to contact Advisory Chair Cliff L. Wood at
wcsa-chair (at) windhamcountyvt.gov or Sheriff Mark Anderson at sheriff (at) windhamcountyvt.gov

Documents regarding the advisory are available on the department's website here.

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The Windham County Sheriff’s Office condemns the January 6th, 2021 insurrection that occurred in Washington D.C. and the attempt of a violent overthrow of our democracy and the United States Constitution.

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The Windham County Sheriff’s Office is committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States and the State of Vermont. This includes protecting the rights of every person, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sex, national origin, immigration status, or religion.

In light of the events that occurred on January 6th, 2021 in Washington D.C., we expect any person or group wishing to exercise their First Amendment right of free speech to do so peacefully and within the boundaries of the law. As we approach Inauguration Day, we discourage armed demonstrations. The Windham County Sheriff’s Office is committed to defending our institutions and our democracy. We are not aware of any specific threats within Windham County, but stand ready to respond and manage issues if they arise.

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Incident: 20WHC000091
Date: 01/09/2021
Location: VT 100 S in Londonderry
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton #166

Accused: Withheld
Age: 18
City & State of Residence: Hudson, NY

Charges: Excessive Speed

Description: On 01/09/21 the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested a youthful offender after observing the vehicle she was operating traveling 71 mph in the posted 40 mph speed zone on VT Route 100 S in Londonderry. They were released on a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division and a Civil Violation Complaint for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 02/23/21
Bail: N/A

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Incident: 21WHC000060
Date: January 7, 2021
Location: Westminster West Rd, Westminster
Investigating Deputy:Det. Sgt. Jessica Fellows

Accused: Thomas Williams
Age: 27
City & State of Residence: Westminster, VT

Charges: Domestic Assault, Criminal Threatening, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Mischief

Description: On January 7th, Deputies were dispatched to the Peoples Bank on Main St in Putney for the report of a male subject who was behaving in a threatening manner and had used a firearm to break the window out of an occupied vehicle. The male then fled the scene and was soon after located at his residence on Westminster West Rd. The male suspect was identified as Thomas Williams. Williams then assaulted a family member and was immediately taken into custody. During the arrest, Williams resisted causing injury to a deputy. The deputy was treated for his injury at BMH and released. Williams was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility for lack of $10,000 bail and will be arraigned 1/8/21.

Court Date: 1/8/2021
Bail: $10,000

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Incident: 20WHC004302
Date: 12/29/2020
Location: Chester Rd in Grafton
Investigating Deputy: Sgt. Norton

Accused: Ashley J Beauchesne
Age: 26

Charges: Excessive Speed

Description: Ashley Beauchesne was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after the vehicle she was operating was observed traveling 61 mph in the posted 30 mph zone on Chester Rd in Grafton. She was released with a citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date and a VCVC for the civil speeding violation.

Court Date: 02/16/2021
Bail: N/A

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Incident: 20WHC004203
Date: 12/21/20
Location: Westminster Station, Westminster
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Jalava

Accused: Ashley Cloutier
Age: 29
City & State of Residence: Westminster, VT

Charges: Driving While Suspended, Violation of Conditions of Release

Description: Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Ashley Cloutier following a 911 call reporting erratic driving. Deputy Jalava observed the vehicle and identified the driver as Ashley Cloutier. Dep. Jalava knew Cloutier's license to be suspended from previous law enforcement interactions. Cloutier was released with a citation to appear at Windham Superior Court Criminal Division at a later time. A licensed driver took control of the vehicle.

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Incident: 20WHC004187
Date: 12/18/20
Location: RT100 Dover
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Jalava

Accused: Wesley Sniadecki
Age: 24
City & State of Residence: Prospect, CT

Charges:DUI, suspended license, unregistered vehicle, uninsured vehicle, uninspected vehicle

Description: At approximately 2030 hours, Wesley Sniadecki was arrested by the Windham County Sheriff's Office after he was observed operating a black Cheverolet with a defective equipment on RT100 in Dover. During the stop Dep. Jalava noticed signs of impairment. Sniadecki was placed under arrest. Sniadecki was taken to the Wilmington Police Department and evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert. Sniadecki was processed and released to a sober party with a citation to appear at Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date.

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Incident: 20WHC004224
Date: 12/22/20
Location: Putney Town Hall
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Jalava

Description: Sometime over the weekend (12/18-12/21), the Putney Pool donation bins containing deposit cans and bottles were emptied by unknown person(s). Anyone with information is asked to contact Deputy Jalava via email at bjalava@windhamcountyvt.gov or by phone at 802-365-4942.

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Incident: 20WHC004143
Date: 12/16/20
Location: Back Westmisnter Rd., Westminster
Investigating Deputy: Deputy Jalava

Accused:Nathan Hutchins
Age: 33
City & State of Residence: Kingston, NY

Charges: Excessive Speed

Description: On 12/16/2020 at approximately 0930 hours the Windham County Sheriff's Office arrested Nathan Hutchins after observing the vehicle Hutchins was operating traveling at 70 mph in the posted 35 mph zone. Hutchins was released on Citation to appear in the Windham Superior Court, Criminal Division at a later date.

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