Press Releases

INCIDENT: Arrest on Warrant
CASE #: 22OLC000689
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 03/10/2022 at approximately 2000 hours
LOCATION (specific): Orleans, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Multiple Vermont Warrants
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR:
ACCUSED: Dylan Bates
AGE: 23
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Lowell, Vermont
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time Deputy Cotnoir arrested Dylan Bates on multiple outstanding warrants. He was lodged at Northern State Correctional facility without bail.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: Unknown
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: Northern State Correctional facility
BAIL: Held without bail
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT: Disorderly Conduct
CASE #: 22OLC000101
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 01/11/2022 at approximately 1700 hours
LOCATION (specific): North Troy, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Title 13 V.S.A. Section 1026
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: David Allen
AGE: 66
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: North Troy, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time Deputy Cotnoir received a complaint in regard to an incident that took place at a North troy select board meeting. On 01/12/2022 Allen was issued a citation for the incident and released.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 03/08/2022 at 11:00 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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Written by Mike Donoghue Correspondent with Rutland Herald

BURLINGTON — An Orleans County woman, who authorities say may have witnessed events connected with the shooting of a woman and her son in Holland on Jan. 1, is facing a federal gun charge for making a false statement during the attempted purchase of a firearm in December.

Amber Lee Wheeler, 45, of Derby Line, appeared briefly in U.S. District Court in Burlington late Thursday afternoon.

Federal Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle agreed to release Wheeler on conditions, including that she checks herself into Valley Vista, a residential drug rehabilitation center, as soon as possible.

While Wheeler is charged with the most recent attempted purchase, a court affidavit mentions at least three other completed gun buys, including one at a Barre firearms store in 2019.

Wheeler is named in a federal criminal complaint with attempting to buy a 9mm pistol on Dec. 23 at Wright’s Sports Shop on Community Drive in Newport, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stated.

Wheeler falsely answered “no” when asked on a federal firearms purchase form if she was “an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance,” ATF Special Agent Tam Vieth said in a six-page affidavit.

Vieth said Vermont State Police troopers identified Wheeler “as an individual who may have witnessed events associated with the shooting” on the night of New Year’s Day.

It was during a subsequent interview about the Holland shooting that Wheeler admitted she is a drug user, the ATF said. Wheeler also admitted she used crack cocaine and fentanyl, Vieth wrote.

Wheeler told investigators that she obtained some crack cocaine from out-of-state drug dealers and that she had hosted them at her residence in December 2021, court records show.

Vieth’s affidavit said the attempted gun purchase was eventually denied on Dec. 27, but it was unclear how it was stopped.

When later asked why she checked the box for “No,” Wheeler responded: “Do you want someone to know you’re addicted to something when you are trying to get a gun to protect yourself?”

Vieth said he also determined Wheeler bought two handguns — a Ruger 9mm pistol and a Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol on Jan. 24, 2021 — at Wright’s and she again had checked “No” for the question about her drug use.

Wheeler also bought at least one other firearm — a Hi-Point model CF 380 pistol — from Wholesale Sports Northeast in Barre on Aug. 6, 2019, Vieth said in his court affidavit. The gun was recovered 79 days later from a suspect in Hempstead, New York, as part of a criminal investigation, the ATF agent wrote.

When asked about the two handguns bought in January 2021, Wheeler claimed she no longer had them and said they had been “stolen,” the ATF said.

Wheeler said it was common for drug users to buy guns for their drug dealers in exchange for drugs, but she did not admit to doing it herself, Vieth said.

The shooting in Holland remains under investigation.

Jason Willey, 38, of Derby Line, was critically wounded by a gunshot to the torso during the Jan. 1 shooting. His mother, Valerie Lyon, 57, also of Derby Line was shot in the arm and was in fair condition after the shooting.

The shooting happened near Valley and School roads about 8:20 p.m. The original report indicated it was a car accident, but when state police arrived they soon determined it was a shooting with the car going off the side of the road.

The victims were transported to North Country Hospital in Newport and later transferred to the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, police said.

Magistrate Doyle, during the hearing Thursday, contemplated ordering Wheeler held until the drug treatment bed was available, but defense lawyer Brooks McArthur said based on the criminal charge as filed, that was not an option under the law. A prosecutor agreed.

McArthur also noted Wheeler has three children and co-owns a home in Derby Line.

Doyle ordered Wheeler not to leave Vermont while her case is pending. He also said she could not use or possess guns, drugs or alcohol. She also must report any contacts with law enforcement to the U.S. Probation Office.

He told Wheeler she was entitled to a probable cause hearing on Feb. 16 unless indicted by a federal grand jury in the interim.

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INCIDENT: Violation Conditions of Release
CASE #: 22OLC000292
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 02/01/2022 at approximately 1155
LOCATION (specific): Derby, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Title 13 V.S.A. Section 7559(E)
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Jerry Pfeiffer
AGE: 24
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: West Charleston, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time while on patrol Deputy Cotnoir observed a male known to him from previous professional encounters as Jerry Pfeiffer on US RTE 5 in the town of Derby, VT. After investigation it was determined that Pfeiffer was in violation of court ordered conditions that imposed a 24 hour curfew. Shortly after Pfeiffer was taken into custody he was released with a citation to appear in court.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 02/02/2022 at 12:30 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT: Warrant
CASE #: 22OLC000201
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 01/24/2022 at approximately 1400 hours
LOCATION (specific): Orleans, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Wanted Person
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanors/Felony’s
ACCUSED: Jessica Lavoie
AGE: 24
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Derby, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time Deputy Cotnoir was traveling through the town of Orleans when he observed a female known to him from previous professional encounters as Jessica Lavoie. Cotnoir had knowledge that Lavoie had an active arrest warrant for Felony retail theft x3 and Misdemeanor retail theft x2. Lavoie was arrested and shortly after released.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 01/24/2022 at 1530 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT: Bad Check and Theft of Services
CASE #: 21-OLC-003913
DEPUTY: Sheriff Harlow
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: November 30, 2021
LOCATION (specific): Leroux Bros Inc, Barton, VT
ACCUSED: Hugh Clymer
AGE: 54
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Stowe, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: In early September, 2021, Mr. Clymer had his vehicle worked on by Leroux Bros. Inc in Barton, VT. The work was completed and Mr. Clymer paid for the services with a check, that he did not have sufficient funds to cover the cost of the work completed which was $5,000.00. Mr. Clymer contacted Leroux Bros Inc advising them that he would make the check good. On November 3, 2021, this affiant contacted Mr. Clymer who assured the Leroux Bros Inc would get their payment by November 30th, 2021. As of November 30th, 2021, Mr. Clymer had not paid for the work that was completed on his vehicle and had made no effort to contact Leroux Bros. Inc. to make any payment arrangements. Mr. Hugh Clymer was issued a citation to appear in Orleans Criminal Court on February 2, 2022 at 11 am.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: February 1, 2022 at 1100 AM
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT: Criminal DLS
CASE #: 22OLC000030
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 01/04/2022 at approximately 1640 hours
LOCATION (specific): Glover, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Title 13 V.S.A. Section 674
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Ronald Morin JR
AGE: 48
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Glover, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time Deputy Cotnoir on patrol in the town of Glover when he observed a male known to him from previous professional encounters. Ronald Morin JR was operating a vehicle traveling south along VT RTE 16. Traffic stop was conducted after a check of Morin’s license determined his license was under criminal suspension. Morin was issued a citation for the violation and released.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 02/28/2022 at 11:00 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT: Criminal DLS
CASE #: 22OLC000054
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 01/07/2022 at approximately 1709 hours
LOCATION (specific): Derby, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Title 13 V.S.A. Section 674
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Matthew Demers
AGE: 44
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Derby, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time Deputy Cotnoir on patrol in the town of Derby when he observed a male known to him from previous professional encounters. Matthew Demers was operating a vehicle traveling west along Shattuck Hill road. A Traffic stop was conducted after a check of Demers license determined his license was under criminal suspension. Demers was issued a citation for the violation and released.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 02/08/2022 at 11:00 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT: Excessive Speeds
CASE #: 21OLC004489
DEPUTY: Jeremy Cotnoir
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 12/30/2021 at approximately 1720 hours
LOCATION (specific): Derby, Vermont
VIOLATION/ VIOLATIONS: Title 23 V.S.A. Section 1097
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Zachary Brain
AGE: 19
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newton, Massachusetts
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On the above date and time Deputy Cotnoir on patrol in the town of Derby when he observed a vehicle operating east on Schuler road traveling 72 MPH in a posted 35MPH speed zone. Deputy Cotnoir conducted a motor vehicle stop and shortly after the operator was identified as Zachary Brain. Brain was released with a citation for the charge of excessive speed.
COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 02/15/2022 at 11:00 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: N/A
BAIL: N/A
MUG SHOT: N/A
*Please note court date and time are subject to change at the discretion of
the court. Please call the criminal court clerk to confirm arraignment time.

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INCIDENT:
CASE #: 22-OLC-000044
DEPUTY: Lt. T. Hanlon
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE/TIME: 01/06/2022 at approximately 0800 AM
LOCATION (specific): West Charleston, Vermont
VIOLATIONS: Stolen Vehicles
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On Thursday, 01/06/2022 at approx. 0800AM, Lt. T. Hanlon of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Dept. recovered a stolen Green Mountain Power Utility Truck at the parking lot of the West Charleston Corner Store on VT 105 in West Charleston VT. The GMP truck had been stolen from the GMP facility in St Johnsbury VT during the night of 01/05/22-01/06/22. Further investigation revealed that the perpetrator(s) then stole a vehicle that was parked across the road at Grenier’s Garage at approx. 0400AM. The vehicle stolen from Grenier’s Garage is a 2008 Ford F-250 Ext Cab, blue with a black dump box and a yellow snow plow and new snow tires and NO registration plates.
Police are seeking a person of interest described as a White Male, approx. age of 25-40 yrs old, average height and weight, wearing a green puffy style jacket, blue hoodie and wearing a cast on his left wrist/forearm.
Additional information and photos may be viewed on the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department facebook page.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department at 802-334-3333 or the St. Johnsbury Police Department at 802-748-2314. Police would like to hear from anyone that observed a GMP Utility Truck being operated between the ST Johnsbury to West Charleston areas during the early morning hours of Thursday 01/06/22 between 0200-0400AM and the 2008 blue Ford F-250 truck on VT 105 in West Charleston VT at approx. 0400AM possibly traveling west toward Derby VT.

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