“Hartford Police Commander graduates from FBI National Academy”

Hartford, Windsor County, Vermont, September 16, 2016 —- We are pleased to announce the graduation and return of Major Braedon Vail from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s prestigious National Academy for law enforcement executives in Quantico, Virginia. 

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program consists of ten weeks of advanced investigative, management and wellness schooling for selected police executives having proven professional records within their agencies.  All of the courses are accredited by the University of Virginia, who administrates the crediting process from an office on the FBI Academy Campus.  Instruction is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.

 Since joining the Hartford Police Department in 1993, Major Vail has served as a Patrol Sergeant, Lieutenant, Operations Commander, and most recently as Commander of the Support Services Division.  Prior to his career at the Hartford Police Department, Major Vail served as a Police Officer with the Town of Hardwick and the Town of Waterbury.  He was the 2010 President of the Vermont Police Association.  Major Vail graduated from Champlain College during 2014 with a Bachelor of Science degree and is currently completing coursework towards his Master Degree.

 After enjoying time with his family, Major Vail will return to duty this coming week where he will resume responsibility for the daily supervision of the Support Services Division.  Major Vail may be reached at 802-478-1939, orbvail@hartford-vt.org.

No Charges For Officer Shooting Pit Bull

No criminal charges will be brought against a Hartford VT Police Officer who shot and killed a Pit Bull on June 26 at the Watson Upper Valley Dog Park. According to the investigation report off-duty Hartford PD Officer Logan Scelza was at the Watson Upper Valley Dog Park with his two huskies, Kato and Echo along with Cheryl Gray with Justin Demers’ pit bull, Diesel.. Kato growled at Diesel and the dogs began fighting with Diesel biting and latching onto Kato’s neck. Several attempts were made by Scelza to physically get the pit bull off his dog before he fired warning shots and eventually shot the pit bull with his service weapon. Kato was brought to a local veterinary’s office for treatment of injuries to the throat that included a laceration requiring sutures and two perforations. The Attorney General’s Office concluded that Scelza was reasonable in his belief that killing Diesel was reasonably necessary to prevent injury to his dog. Scelza used a variety of non-lethal options prior to resorting to the use of his firearm. Under those circumstances, Scelza’s decision to use deadly force was reasonable and justified

 

 

Two Facing Drug Charges in Ludlow

Ludlow VT Police Department along with the Southern VT Drug Task Force seized 100 bags of heroin, marijuana, prescription narcotics firearms, and 500 rounds of ammunition on Wednesday. Police say they arrested Richard M. Taylor 37 and Kimberly H. Ashley 31 both of Ludlow on multiple drug charges. The investigation into drug trafficking began in February after noticing a lot of activity at the residence.   Richard Taylor was charged with Sale and Distribution of Heroin (2 counts) Possession of Heroin, Possession of Narcotics

Possession of Marijuana and is incarcerated at the Southern State Correctional Facility in Lieu of $25,000 bail. Kimberly Ashley was charged with Possession of Heroin, Possession of Narcotics

Possession of Marijuana and is incarcerated in lieu of $5,000 bail. Both will be arraigned in Windsor County Superior Court, Criminal division on September 15, 2016 at 12:30 pm.

Springfield Man Injured in Accident

A Springfield VT man received abrasions to his head after an accident in Weathersfield late last night. Vermont State Police responded to a single vehicle crash on VT Route 12, in the Village of Ascutney in Weathersfield. Police determined that Daniel L. Davis, 22, of Springfield, Vermont was the operator of the Black Toyota Pickup Truck involved in the crash. Investigation revealed that Davis lost control of the vehicle after he came to a corner and his vehicle hydroplaned due to the wet road. Davis was transported to Claremont Valley Regional Hospital to be treated for his injuries. Golden Cross Ambulance Inc. and Ascutney Volunteer Fire Station assisted at the scene.

WRJ Man Arrested for Going Wrong Way on I-89

Just before 1:30 am this morning, Vermont State Police dispatch received a call from a motorist in regard to a wrong way driver on I-89 driving southbound in the northbound lanes from mile marker 8 in the Town of Hartford, VT (Windsor County).  Troopers responded to the area and intercepted the vehicle just north of exit 1.  The vehicle was operated by Brendan Scribner, 46, of White River Junction, VT. Scribner was taken into custody for suspicion of DUI.  He was processed at the Hartford Police Department and released on a criminal citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court Windsor Criminal Division on 09/06/16 to answer to the charge of DUI.

 

Springfield VT Man Sentenced for Child Porn

file photo

A Springfield VT man was sentenced on Thursday on two felony counts of Promoting Child Pornography and a misdemeanor count of Voyeurism.  Christian Cowell 28, pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 5-15 years in prison – all suspended except for 17 months. Cowell was also placed on probation for 10 years with special conditions which include limited access to internet and children under the age of 16, registering as a sex offender and successfully completing sex offender treatment.

The charges stem from an investigation in March of 2015 where Mr. Cowell obtained and distributed child pornography over the internet using peer-to-peer file sharing programs. The Vermont Attorney General’s Office, the Vermont State Police, Burlington Police Department, South Burlington Police Department, Springfield Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and Vermont’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force participated in the investigation.

Newport Man Injured in VT Crash

A Newport NH man received minor injuries on Thursday when a flatbed, boom truck he was driving over turned.  Police say Charles Dumont 44, was delivering landscaping blocks to a residence on­­ Austin Road in Rockingham, VT when the brake system lost air.  Dumont could not get the truck in gear and it rolled down a steep hill landing on its side.  Dumont received minor laceration to the arm and was transported to Springfield Hospital for an evaluation.

Two Confess to Putney School Burlary

Two VT men confessed on Wednesday to a burglary at Putney Central School last week.  Police say Lucien Rosenbloom 19 of Putney and Noah Morse 18 of Hartland turned themselves in to State Police after public outcry on social media and seeing their photos on surveillance tape.

According to their confessions they were drinking alcoholic beverages and hanging out in the area of the school on Friday night and noticed an open window at the school. Initially the men were just going to look around but once inside they saw several guitars, MacBook computers, amplifiers, and some tools, which they took to a local residence.  Rosenbloom and Morse turned over a significant amount of stolen property to the police.  Both were released, on conditions of release set by the court, with citations to appear in Windham Superior Court-Criminal Division on 10/11/16 to face the charge of Burglary.

VSP Cruisers Crash on I-91

Hydroplaning was the cause of a crash of Vermont State Trooper Cruisers on Saturday night. Police say the officers were responding were responding to a call when each vehicle traveled on to a flooded bridge near mile marker 21 on Interstate 91 in the town of Westminster. The troopers were unable to regain control of the cruisers before they struck and came to a final rest in the southbound shoulder.

Both troopers were taken to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and released with minor injuries.

The cruisers sustained damages and I 91 southbound lanes were closed for a period of time to clear up the crash and divert the water.

 

Popular Springfield VT Swimming Area Closed

All swimming areas at North Springfield Lake and Stoughton Pond Recreation Area are closed until further notice. The Army Corp of Engineers closed the area on Friday due to Cyanobacteria and will tested weekly Call the North Springfield Lake Project Office at (802) 886-2775 with any questions or concerns.