Press Releases

Sheriff Jennifer Harlow reports the arrest of Ronald Morin Jr. after the incident described below.


INCIDENT: Driving While License Suspended
CASE #: 24-OLC-000308
DEPUTY: Daniel Locke
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333

DATE/TIME: 01-21-2024 1626 hours
LOCATION (specific): Route 16, Glover

VIOLATION: Title 23 section 674
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: misdemeanor

ACCUSED: Ronald Morin Jr.
AGE: 50
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: 2612 Glover Street, Glover Vermont

SUMMARY OF THE INCIDENT: On 01-21-2024 Deputy Locke stopped a vehicle for speeding in Glover. The vehicle was traveling 55 mph in a posted 40 mph speed zone. The operator was identified as Ronald Morin JR. Morin’s operators license was found to be under suspension criminally in the state of Vermont. Moring was cited in court on 03-12-2024.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 03-12-2024 at 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: Unlawful Trespass
CASE #: 23-OLC-004797
DEPUTY: LT Richard Wells
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333

DATE/TIME: 12/23/2023 at approximately 10:00am hours
LOCATION: 205 Strawberry Acres, Newport Center, Vermont

VIOLATION: Title 13 V.S.A. 3705 Section
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Felony

ACCUSED: Holly Fields and Jorge Ruiz
AGE:
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Troy, Vermont

1. SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 12/23/2023 OCSD received a call from the owner of 205 Strawberry Acres RD in Newport Center. He stated that just 3 days prior our office did a “Writ of Possession”, change of locks at that location, and nobody is supposed to be there. He stated that someone was at and inside the residence. On arrival, Holly Fields and Jorge Ruiz were found at the residence and loading a utility trailer of belongings. Fields and Ruiz had torn off the trespass notice that was on the door and forced entry into the residence. They were arrested and charged with the suspected crime.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 01/23/2024 at 08:00am 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: Arrest on In-State Warrant x2
Date: 01/11/2024
Location: Coventry VT
Investigating Deputy: Gonyaw

Accused: Justin Lamonda
Age: 40
City & State of Residence: Coventry VT

Charges: Arrest on In-State Warrant x2

Description: On 01/11/2024 Deputy Gonyaw located a male known to him as Justin Lamonda at his residence in Coventry. Deputy Gonyaw was aware Lamonda had two active warrants for his arrest and confirmed them before arrival. Justin Lamonda was arrested and transported to NSCF.

Court Date: 01/12/2024
Bail: $200.00

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Incident: Arrest on In-State Warrant
Date: 01/12/2024
Location: US RT 5 Derby VT
Investigating Deputy: Gonyaw

Accused: Chrissy Lucas
Age: 36
City & State of Residence: Island Pond VT

Charges: Arrest on In-State Warrant

Description: On 01/12/2024, Deputy Gonyaw conducted a traffic stop for motor vehicle violations. After identifying the operator as Chrissy Lucas, it was learned Chrissy Lucas had an active warrant for her arrest. Chrissy Lucas was transported to NSCF on the active warrant.

Court Date: 01/15/2024
Bail: $200.00

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INCIDENT: False information to law enforcement
CASE #: 23-OLC-001853
DEPUTY: LT Richard Wells
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333

DATE/TIME: 12/28/2023 at approximately 09:27am hours
LOCATION: Derby, Vermont

VIOLATION: Title 13 V.S.A. 1754 Section
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor

ACCUSED: Jonathan Bushey
AGE: 25
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Homeless

1. SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: Walmart called the Orleans County Sheriff’s Department regarding some individuals that had left the store without paying for the merchandise. Those individuals got into a white Nissan with straps holding down the hood. Sgt. Nick Rivers saw the vehicle on Crawford Rd in Derby and stopped the vehicle. While identifying the parties in the vehicle, a male identified himself as a different person. That male was identified by myself and Deputy Cotnoir as Jonathan Bushey. Bushey was arrested on an outstanding warrant and was taken into custody. Bushey also received a citation for suspected False Information to Law Enforcement.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 01/30/2024 at 08:00 hours
COURT: Vermont Superior Court Orleans Criminal Division

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Sheriff Jennifer Harlow reports the arrest after the incident described below


INCIDENT: Loaded long gun in motor vehicle
CASE #: 23-OLC-004363
DEPUTY: LT. Richard Wells
STATION: ORLEANS COUNTY SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT
CONTACT#: (802) 334-3333

DATE/TIME: 11/24/2023 at approximately 13:24 hours
LOCATION: Orleans, Vermont

VIOLATION: Title 10 V.S.A. 4705 Section
FELONY/ MISDEMEANOR: Misdemeanor

ACCUSED: Christopher Goldgett
AGE: 57
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Brownington, Vermont

1. SUMMARY OF INCIDENT: On 11/24/2023 Christopher Glodgett was stopped for a motor vehicle infraction. During the stop it was found that Glodgett had a loaded long gun in his vehicle.

COURT ACTION: Yes
COURT DATE/TIME: 01/16/2024 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.

###

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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