Vermont Drug Task Force / Sale of cocaine, possession of cocaine and regulated drug

Vermont Drug Task Force / Sale of cocaine / Possession of cocaine and regulated drug

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

 

STATION: HQ, Vermont Drug Task Force

DATE/TIME: February 28, 2025

LOCATION: Newport, VT

 

ACCUSED: Brandon Cote                                                        

AGE: 34

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newport, VT

VIOLATION: Sale of cocaine x2, possession of cocaine, possession of regulated drug

 

ACCUSED: Rowena Jones

AGE: 35

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Newport, VT

VIOLATION: Possession of cocaine, possession of regulated drug

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On February 28, 2025, the Vermont State Police Drug Task Force and the Newport Police Department conducted a search warrant located on East Main Street, Newport.  During the investigation, Brandon Cote of Newport, Vermont, was arrested for the sale of cocaine (x2), possession of cocaine, and possession of a regulated drug.  Rowena Jones of Newport, VT was arrested for possession of cocaine and possession of a regulated drug. The arrests stemmed from a months-long drug investigation conducted by detectives with the Vermont Drug Task Force into the distribution of cocaine in Newport. Cote was arrested and processed at the Newport Police Department.

Cote was ordered held on $1000.00 bail for sale of cocaine (x2) and $200.00 bail for possession of cocaine and regulated drugs at Northern State Correctional Facility.  Cote is set to appear at 1230 p.m. Monday, March 3, 2025, before the Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division.

Jones was released on a citation to appear at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2025, before the Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Criminal Division. 

The Vermont Drug Task Force thanks the Newport Police Department, the St. Albans Police Department, Orleans County Sherrif Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in these investigations.

Cote is being prosecuted by the Orleans County State’s Attorney’s Office. Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to contact the Vermont State Police at 802-334-8881 or submit a tip anonymously via https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

No further information is available at this time. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Cote’s arraignment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Berlin Barracks // Fatal Crash

 STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

CASE#: 25A3001342

RANK / TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Mae Murdock

STATION: Berlin Barracks

CONTACT#: 802-229-9191

 

DATE/TIME: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at 1332 hours

STREET: 820 Waterbury Stowe Road (VT Route 100)

TOWN: Waterbury, VT

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: Billings Mobile

INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: N/A

WEATHER: Clear

ROAD CONDITIONS: Dry

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR #1: Penny Mandigo

AGE: 56

SEAT BELT? No

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Waterbury, VT

 

VEHICLE #1 YEAR: 2011

VEHICLE #1 MAKE: GMC

VEHICLE #1 MODEL: Sierra

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaling front end damage

INJURIES: Deceased

HOSPITAL: N/A

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR #2: David J. Brier

AGE: 41

SEAT BELT? YES

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Saint Albans, VT

 

VEHICLE #2 YEAR: 2017

VEHICLE #2 MAKE: Western Star

VEHICLE #2 MODEL: 4700

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Totaling front end damage

INJURIES: None

HOSPITAL: N/A

 

SUMMARY OF CRASH:

 

On Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, at approximately 1332 hours the Vermont State Police was notified of a two-vehicle crash on VT Route 100 in front of the “Billings Mobile” in the Town of Waterbury. Troopers from the Berlin Barracks responded to the scene.

 

Preliminary investigation showed Vehicle 2 was traveling south on VT Route 100 and had just proceeded into the intersection, near Billings Mobile, when the traffic signal cycled to green. At that time, Vehicle 1, operated by Mandigo, was traveling north on VT Route 100, crossed the center of the roadway and collided with Vehicle 2. The result was a head-on collision between Vehicle 1 and Vehicle 2 in the southbound lane of VT Route 100 near the center of the intersection. Both vehicles came to rest in the southbound lane. Operator 1 was declared deceased at the scene.

 

This investigation is ongoing and anyone who may have witnessed, or has information about this incident, is encouraged to call the primary investigator, Trooper Mae Murdock of the Berlin Barracks. The Vermont State Police was assisted at the scene by the Waterbury Fire Department, Waterbury Ambulance Service, and Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. 

 

 

 

New Haven Barracks/ MV Crash

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

 

CASE#: 25B5000884

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Tpr. Sean Hauter

STATION: New Haven

CONTACT#: (802) 388-4919

 

DATE/TIME: 2/28/25, 0754 hours

STREET: VT-22A

TOWN: Panton

LANDMARK AND/OR CROSS STREETS: East Rd

WEATHER: Clear

ROAD CONDITIONS: Snow & Ice

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR: Eduardo Loyola

AGE: 51

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: South Burlington, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2024

VEHICLE MAKE: Chevy

VEHICLE MODEL: Silverado

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Front-passenger's side contact damage

INJURIES: None

HOSPITAL: N/A

 

SUMMARY OF CRASH:

 

On 2/28/25 at approximately 0754 hours, Troopers responded to a single-vehicle crash on VT Route 22A near East Road in the Town of Panton. Investigation revealed V#1 was traveling south when it hit a patch of ice, left the roadway and struck a telephone pole. VT Route 22A was closed to traffic for about 30 minutes as a result of this crash. Troopers were assisted on scene by the Vergennes Fire Department and Vergennes Area Rescue Squad. No injuries resulted.

 

VCVC(s): N

COURT ACTION: N

RE: Traffic Alert - Area of 820 Waterbury-Stowe Rd, Waterbury

Roadway has been re-opened

 

From: Post, Jonathan via DPS.VSPMedia <dps.vspmedia@list.vermont.gov>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2025 1:51 PM
To: DPS - Roadway Alert <DPS.RoadwayAlert@vermont.gov>
Subject: Traffic Alert - Area of 820 Waterbury-Stowe Rd, Waterbury

 

EXTERNAL SENDER: Do not open attachments or click on links unless you recognize and trust the sender.

State of Vermont

Department of Public Safety

Vermont State Police

Berlin Barracks

 

News Release – Highway / Traffic Notification

 

820 Waterbury-Stowe Rd is closed at least down to one lane in the area of Shaw's due to a motor vehicle crash.

 

This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available and updates will be provided as appropriate.

 

Motorists should expect delays in the area, or seek alternate routes. Please drive carefully.

Update No. 1: VSP BCI Troop A West – Berlin / Death investigation

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

 

CASE#: 25A3001050

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective Trooper Matthew Conte, Detective Sgt. David Hurwitch

STATION: Vermont State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations Troop A West – Berlin / Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit

CONTACT#: 802-229-9191

 

 

DATE/TIME: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025

INCIDENT LOCATION: 500 Vermont Route 100, Warren, VT

INCIDENT TYPE: Death investigation

 

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

Following autopsy at the Vermont Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington, the deceased individual is identified as Jeremiah Wild, 29, of Craftsbury. The autopsy determined his cause of death to be thermal burns and smoke inhalation. The manner of death is classified as undetermined.

 

VSP's investigation is ongoing, but the death is not considered suspicious.

 

No further information is currently available.

 

 

***Initial news release, 7:45 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17, 2025***

The Vermont State Police is investigating a car fire Monday morning, Feb. 17, 2025, in the town of Warren and the discovery of a body inside the vehicle.

 

The fire was reported by a passerby at about 11:30 a.m. at a parking area at 500 Vermont Route 100. Members of the Warren Fire Department responded to the scene, extinguished the blaze, and located a deceased individual in the vehicle's driver's seat.

 

Members of the Vermont State Police were called to the scene, including uniformed troopers, a detective with the Bureau of Criminal Investigations, and a detective with the Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit. Initial evidence gathered at the scene does not indicate this is a suspicious event.

 

The body will be brought to the Chief Medical Examiner's Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine identity and the cause and manner of death. FEIU is investigating the origin and cause of the vehicle fire.

 

State police ask that anyone with information about this incident call the Berlin Barracks at 802-229-9191 or provide an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.

 

No additional details are available at this time. VSP will provide updates as the case proceeds.

 

- 30 -

Berlin Barracks / Motor Vehicle Crash

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

MOTOR VEHICLE CRASH

 

CASE#: 25A3001337                                              

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Trooper Farnum-Boylan

STATION: Berlin Barracks                                      

CONTACT#: 802-299-9191

 

DATE/TIME: February 28, 2025, at 0938 hours

STREET: Interstate 89S

TOWN: Brookfield

INTERSTATE MILE MARKER: Mile Post 39.8

WEATHER: Clear           

ROAD CONDITIONS: Wet

 

VEHICLE #1

OPERATOR: Tyson Wescot

AGE: 21  

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Wilder, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2012

VEHICLE MAKE: Freightliner

VEHICLE MODEL: Flatbed Wrecker

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #1: Moderate Front-End Damage

 

VEHICLE #2

OPERATOR: Gerard Peters

AGE: 75

SEAT BELT? Y

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Albany, VT

 

VEHICLE YEAR: 2020

VEHICLE MAKE: Subaru

VEHICLE MODEL: Outback

DAMAGE TO VEHICLE #2: Totaled

 

SUMMARY OF CRASH:

 

On the above date and time Troopers from the Berlin Barracks and the Brookfield Fire Department were at the scene of an unrelated motor vehicle crash at the above listed location. The Brookfield Fire Department was actively conducting traffic control, slowing vehicles and merging them away from emergency vehicles which were stopped, with their emergency lights activated, in the right lane of Interstate 89S.

 

Vehicle 1 entered the area at reported highways speeds and failed to follow the direction of emergency personnel. The flatbed wrecker rear ended Vehicle 2 and then struck a parked Brookfield Fire Engine before coming to rest in the median. Vehicle 2 was pushed into the median where it subsequently came to rest. All occupants were transported to the Central Vermont Medical Center for evaluation.

 

Vermont State Police were assisted at the scene by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Brookfield Fire Department, Randolph Fire Department, Randolph Police Department, Washington County Sheriff's Department, and Barre Town Ambulance Service. Anyone with information regarding this collision is encouraged to call the Vermont State Police and speak with Trooper Farnum-Boylan.

 

*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.

A Troop / Criminal DLS Incidents

NEWS RELEASE – DLS INCIDENTS

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

For the week of Wednesday, February 19, 2025 through Wednesday, February 26, 2025, the troopers of A Troop cited the following individuals on suspicion of driving with a criminally suspended license:

 

 

Case #:25A2001315

Trooper: Charlotte Hartman

Offenders Name: Rykeem Allen

Age: 32

Hometown of Offender: St. Albans, VT

Date and Time of Violation:  2/26/25 @ 2318 hours

Location of Violation: I 89 S Swanton, VT

Court Date and Time:  4/1/25 0830 hours

Location of Court: Franklin Superior Court St. Albans

 

A Troop consists of the Vermont State Police barracks in Williston, St. Albans, Berlin, St. Johnsbury and Derby

 

 

Jessica L. Cucinelli

St. Albans State Police

Barracks Clerk

140 Fisher Pond Rd.

St. Albans, VT 05478

802-524-5993 option 4

 

 

Jessica L. Cucinelli

St. Albans State Police

Barracks Clerk

140 Fisher Pond Rd.

St. Albans, VT 05478

802-524-5993 option 4

 

Re: VT 128 Westford

VT 128 in Westford near Pearwood Ln in Westford has re-opened. Please drive safe. 

Kai Smith

Emergency Communications Dispatcher I

Vermont State Police - Williston PSAP

3294 St George Road

Williston, VT 05495

Phone - 1(802)878-7111

Fax - 1(802)878-3173

 

---

From: Beaudet, Roger <Roger.Beaudet@vermont.gov>
Sent: Friday, February 28, 2025 1:27 PM
To: AOT - Road Closures <AOT.RoadClosures@vermont.gov>
Subject: VT 128 Westford

 

TRAFFIC ALERT: VT 128 in Westford near Pearwood Ln. is CLOSED to all traffic due to a crash. Expect delays in the area or seek an alternate route, will update when available.

 

 

 

 

Roger Beaudet | VTrans TMC

Vermont Agency of Transportation

Transportation Management Center (TMC)

2178 Airport Rd Unit A | Barre, VT 05641

802-828-2648 TMC | Cell 802-595-4457 Cell

roger.beaudet@vermont.gov

 

 

Traffic Alert - Area of 820 Waterbury-Stowe Rd, Waterbury

State of Vermont

Department of Public Safety

Vermont State Police

Berlin Barracks

 

News Release – Highway / Traffic Notification

 

820 Waterbury-Stowe Rd is closed at least down to one lane in the area of Shaw's due to a motor vehicle crash.

 

This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available and updates will be provided as appropriate.

 

Motorists should expect delays in the area, or seek alternate routes. Please drive carefully.

Westminster Barracks / Fugitive from Justice

VSP News Release-Incident

 

STATE OF VERMONT

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

VERMONT STATE POLICE

 

NEWS RELEASE

       

CASE#: 25B1001319

RANK/TROOPER FULL NAME: Detective Trooper Brandon Groh                            

STATION: BCI B-East, Westminster Barracks                   

CONTACT#: 802-722-4600

 

DATE/TIME: 02/27/2025 at 1130 hours

INCIDENT LOCATION: Southern State Correctional Facility, Springfield

VIOLATION: Fugitive From Justice

 

ACCUSED: Andrew Picknell, Jr.                                           

AGE: 31

CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Incarcerated, SSCF

 

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:

On the above date and time, Detectives with the Vermont State Police were made aware of an inmate, Andrew D. Picknell, Jr. (31), who had an extraditable warrant out of the state of New Hampshire for failure to appear on original charges of drug possession. Picknell was cited at Southern State Correctional Facility to appear in Vermont Superior Court, Windsor Criminal Division on 02/28/2025 at 1230 hours.

 

COURT ACTION: YES

COURT DATE/TIME: 02/28/2025 at 1230 hours           

COURT: Vermont Superior Court Windsor Criminal Division

LODGED - LOCATION: SSCF   

BAIL: N/A

MUG SHOT: NO

 

Road Closure Vt Route 128 near Pearwood Ln in Westford

State of Vermont  

Department of Public Safety  

Vermont State Police  

Williston Barracks

 

Vt Route 128 near Pearwood Ln in Westford is closed due to a motor vehicle accident. 

 

This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available, and updates will be provided as appropriate.    

 

Motorists should expect delays in the area or seek alternate routes.   

  

Please drive carefully. 

 

Traffic Alert - Interstate 89 Southbound Exits 4 thru 5

Interstate 89 Southbound between exits 5 & 4 is reopened for regular travel. Please drive carefully.

Jonathan Post

Emergency Communications Dispatcher I

Vermont State Police Williston PSAP

3294 St. George Rd, Williston VT, 05495

Phone 802.878.7111 #3

FAX 802.878.3173 

Traffic Alert - Interstate 89 Southbound Exits 4 thru 5

State of Vermont

Department of Public Safety

Vermont State Police

Berlin Barracks 

 

News Release – Highway / Traffic Notification

 

I 89 Southbound from X5 to X4 is closed  due to multiple motor vehicle collisions.

 

This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available and updates will be provided as appropriate.

 

Motorists should expect delays in the area, or seek alternate routes. Please drive carefully.

 

Jonathan Post

Emergency Communications Dispatcher I

Vermont State Police Williston PSAP

3294 St. George Rd, Williston VT, 05495

Phone 802.878.7111 #3

FAX 802.878.3173 

Vt Route 22A - Panton

State of Vermont  

Department of Public Safety  

Vermont State Police  

New Haven Barracks 

  

Press Release – Highway / Traffic Notification 

  

Vt Route 22A in Panton  north of East Rd is now OPEN to all traffic.

Please drive carefully.

Quaker St. - Lincoln

State of Vermont  

Department of Public Safety  

Vermont State Police  

New Haven Barracks 

  

Press Release – Highway / Traffic Notification 

  

Quaker St is closed north of Guthrie Rd in Lincoln due to an overturned motor vehicle.

This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available and updates will be provided as appropriate.    

 

Motorists should expect delays in the area, or seek alternate routes.   

  

Please drive carefully.

Vt Route 22A - Panton

State of Vermont  

Department of Public Safety  

Vermont State Police  

New Haven Barracks 

  

Press Release – Highway / Traffic Notification 

  

Vt Route 22A in Panton is closed north of East Rd due to a motor vehicle accident. 

This incident is expected to last until further notice. Specific details are not yet available and updates will be provided as appropriate.    

 

Motorists should expect delays in the area, or seek alternate routes.   

  

Please drive carefully.