Press Releases

INCIDENT: DUI #2 & Excessive Speed
CASE #: 26OLC002406
DEPUTY: Battista
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 06/30/2026
LOCATION: Main Street, Barton VT
VIOLATIONS: DUI #2 & Excessive Speed
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanors
ACCUSED: Christopher Sanborn
AGE: 34
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Browington, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 06/30/2026 at approximately 2041 hours, while on duty for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Battista observed a vehicle traveling at a very high rate of speed on Barton Orleans Road, heading towards the village of Barton.

Deputy Battista conducted a traffic stop and the operator was identified as Christopher Sanborn. During the traffic stop, Deputy Battista observed several signs of impairment.

After standardized field sobriety tests, Christopher was placed under arrest and transported to the Newport Police Department for processing.

At the end of processing Christopher was issued a Criminal Citation for the charges of DUI #2 and Excessive Speed. Christopher was released to a sober adult and the vehicle being operated was towed.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 07/21/2026 @ 0830 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. All persons innocent until proven guilty.

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INCIDENT: DUI – Criminal Refusal
CASE #: 26OLC002403
DEPUTY: Battista
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 06/30/2026
LOCATION: I91 North, Derby VT
VIOLATIONS: DUI – Criminal Refusal
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Kathleen Mceleney
AGE: 57
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Marshfield, MA
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 06/30/2026 at approximately 1522 hours, while on duty for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Battista was traveling on I91 north in the town of Derby VT, when he conducted a traffic stop for a motor vehicle violation.

The operator was identified as Kathleen Mceleney. During the traffic stop, Deputy Battista observed several signs of impairment. After standardized field sobriety tests, Kathleen was placed under arrest and transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department for processing.

At the end of processing, Kathleen was issued a Criminal Citation for the charge of DUI Criminal Refusal. Kathleen was transported to Northern State Correctional Facility for Detox and the vehicle being operated was towed.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 07/21/2026 @ 0830 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court; Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: Detoxed – Northern State Correctional Facility
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. All persons innocent until proven guilty.

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Barton, Vermont

Sheriff Jennifer Harlow reports the arrest of Breana Keough after the incident described below.

INCIDENT: Arrest on an In State Warrant
CASE #: 26-OLC-002365
DEPUTY: Cota
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 06/26/2026
LOCATION: Barton, VT
VIOLATIONS: Arrest on an In State Warrant
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Breana Keough
AGE: 21
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Greensboro, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 06/26/2026 Deputy Cota conducted a traffic stop on Barton Orleans Road in Barton. The passenger in the vehicle was identified as Breana Keough who had an active In State Warrant. Keough was arrested and transported to Northern State Correctional Facility.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 06/29/2026 @ 1230 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court; Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: Northern State Correctional Facility
BAIL: $50.00
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: DUI & Warrant arrest
Date: 06/20/2026 0010 hours
Location: Barton
Investigating Deputy: Sgt David Garces

Accused: Joshua Powers
Age: 29
City & State of Residence: St. Albans, VT

Charges: DUI Refusal & Arrest on Warrant

Description: On 06/20/2026 at 0010 hours, Sgt David Garces patrolled Barton Orleans Rd near Sweet Scoops in Barton and observed a vehicle make a lane violation swerving onto Sgt Garces' lane. Sgt Garces conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Joshua Powers (29). Investigation revealed that Powers had an outstanding warrant for several felony assault charges from 2025. Powers was also suspected of being under the influence and refused to provide an evidentiary sample. Powers was charged for DUI refusal and held without bail on his warrant at the Northern State Correctional Facility.

Court Date: 06/22/2026 1230 PM
Bail: Held Without Bail


*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. All person’s innocent until proven guilty.

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INCIDENT: DUI #2 Refusal, Driving While License Suspended Criminally, Violations of Conditions of Release x2
CASE #: 26OLC002233
DEPUTY: Battista
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 06/17/2026
LOCATION: Vance Hill Road, Newport Center, VT
VIOLATIONS: DUI #2 Refusal, Driving While License Suspended Criminally, Violations of Conditions of Release x2
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanors
ACCUSED: Natalie Bekkouche
AGE: 40
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newport Center, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 06/17/2026 while on duty for the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy Battista was attempting to locate a vehicle that a concerned citizen called via 911 to report a driver who was possibly impaired.

Deputy Battista observed a vehicle driving down the middle of Lake Road in Newport Center VT, matching the vehicle description reported to 911. Deputy Battista initiated a traffic stop; the operator was identified as Natalie Bekkouche.

Deputy Battista during the traffic stop observed several signs of impairment. During the DUI investigation Bekkouche violated two separate conditions of release.

Bekkouche was arrested and transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department for processing. The vehicle being operated was towed and the vehicle registration plates were seized.

Bekkouche was charged with, DUI #2 Refusal, operating while under Criminal Suspension and violating two separate Conditions of Release.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 07/07/2026 @ 0830 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. All person’s innocent until proven guilty.

###

INCIDENT: Eluding a Police Officer, Negligent Operation
CASE #: 26OLC002197
DEPUTY: Battista
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 06/15/2026
LOCATION: Orleans, VT
VIOLATIONS: Eluding a Police Officer, Negligent Operation
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanors
ACCUSED: JUV
AGE: 15
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Orleans, VT
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 06/15/2026 at 2053 hours, Deputy Battista was actively patrolling in the village of Orleans VT after receiving multiple weekly reports of reckless operation in this area with dirt bikes.

Deputy Battista was on Church Street, when he observed an E-dirt bike shut their headlight off and another E-dirt bike with no lights on. Both E-dirt bikes took off traveling at a high rate of speed.

Deputy Battista attempted to conduct a traffic stop initiating his blue emergency lights and sirens. Only one of the E-dirt bikes stopped, the other one failed to stop and eluded at an unknown high rate of speed.

The operator of the E-dirt bike that stopped was released to a parent, providing the information of the other operator. After further review of the vehicles being operated, they were equivalent to gas powered dirt bikes capable of traveling at high rates of speed.

Deputy Battista located the operator of the E-dirt bike that failed to stop, at their residence. The operator was identified as JUV. JUV was issued a citation for the charges of Negligent Operation and Eluding a Police Officer.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 07/28/2026 @ 1530 hours
COURT: Vermont Orleans Family Court, Family 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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Newport Town, Vermont

Sheriff Jennifer Harlow reports the arrest of Tannor Fortin after the incident described below.

INCIDENT: Sexual Assault, Domestic Assault X5, Cruelty to a Child X4
CASE #: 26-OLC-002236
DEPUTY: Cota
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 06/17/2026
LOCATION: Newport Town, VT
VIOLATIONS: Sexual Assault, Domestic Assault X5, Cruelty to a Child X4
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Felony & Misdemeanor(s)
ACCUSED: Tannor Fortin
AGE: 28
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newport Town, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 06/17/2026 Deputy Cota arrested Tannor Fortin for various incidents of assault. Fortin was arrested and transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department for processing before being transported to Northern State Correctional Facility where he was held on $10,000.00 bail.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 06/18/2026 @ 1230 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court; Orleans Criminal Division
LODGED - LOCATION: Northern State Correctional Facility
BAIL: $10,000.00
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.

###

Sheriff Jennifer Harlow reports the arrest of Daniel Faust after the incident described below


INCIDENT: DUI-Drugs
CASE #: 26OLC001174
DEPUTY: Daniel Locke
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333

DATE/TIME: 04/04/2026 – 1735 hours
LOCATION (specific): Main Street Orleans

VIOLATION: Title 23 section 1201
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: misdemeanor

ACCUSED: Daniel Faust
AGE: 67
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Orleans, Vt

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 04/04/26 I came upon a vehicle that was parked at a stop sign on Parkside Street and did not continue to drive forward after completing their stop. The male Daniel Faust was subsequently processed for DUI-Drugs and issued a criminal citation to appear in court.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 06/23/26 – 0800 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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Sheriff Jennifer Harlow reports the arrest of Trina Stetson after the incident described below


INCIDENT: Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Criminal No License
CASE #: 26OLC001845
DEPUTY: Daniel Locke
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333

DATE/TIME: 05/20/2026 – 1604 hours
LOCATION (specific): 272 Vance Hill Road, Newport Center

VIOLATION: Title 23 sections 1128 and 601
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: misdemeanor

ACCUSED: Trina Stetson
AGE: 47
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newport, Vt

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 05/20/2026 a car crashed into a telephone pole at the above-mentioned address. The female operator of the vehicle left the scene of the crash. It was later determined who the operator was and that she was driving with no license.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 08/11/2026 – 0830 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: Driving Under the Influence – DUI #2 Refusal
CASE #: 26OLC001871
DEPUTY: Battista
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333
DATE: 05/21/2026
LOCATION: Gibbs Road, Newport Center, VT
VIOLATIONS: Driving Under the Influence – DUI #2 Refusal
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor
ACCUSED: Natalie Bekkouche
AGE: 40
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newport Center, VT

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On 05/21/2026 at approximately 1522 hours, Deputy Battista responded to a report of a vehicle off the roadway back into a ditch, on Gibbs Road in Newport Center VT.

During Deputy Battista’s investigation it was discovered that the operator, Natalie Bekkouche had been driving while under the influence of alcohol.

Natalie was taken into custody and transported to the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department. After processing, Natalie was charged with DUI #2 Refusal.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 06/02/2026 @ 0830 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. All persons innocent until proven guilty.

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