STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
Vermont State Police identifies
people facing charges of trespassing at Williston office building
WILLISTON, Vermont (Monday, Feb. 9, 2026) — The following
individuals were arrested on charges of criminal trespass:
- Revell Allen, 75, of
Middlebury, VT
- Karen Bixler, 83, of
Bethel, VT.
- Lexington Kennedy, 21, of
New York, NY.
- Donald Kollisch, 74, of Hanover,
NH.
- Dorothy Mammen, 70, of Middlebury,
VT.
- Henry Prensky, 79, of Burlington,
VT.
- Timothy Price, 71, of Ripton,
VT.
- Douglas Smith, 85, of Sharon,
VT.
- Roan Wade, 22, of Red
Hook, NY.
- Jennifer Wasiura, 46, of Weybridge,
VT.
- Sherri Wormser, 57, of Colchester,
VT.
In addition, Peter Booth, 57, of Jericho, VT, and Laura
Simon, 72, of White River Junction, VT, were issued citations on a charge of criminal
trespass at the scene and released.
***Initial news release, 5:20
p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, 2026***
The Vermont State Police arrested 11 people and cited two
others on charges of criminal trespass Monday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2026, after
they declined to leave a private office building in Williston and asked to be
taken into custody instead.
The individuals were in the building to protest federal
agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, that are among government
and private tenants, including private businesses and a medical office. The
building owner informed police that the individuals were trespassing and would
not leave, and asked for them to be removed.
State police, working in conjunction with the Williston
Police Department, responded and spoke with protest leaders. VSP let the
protesters know there was space available outside the building where they were
welcome to continue their demonstration. The protesters declined to relocate. Protest
leaders told VSP their goal was to be arrested.
The state police continued to encourage the group to leave
of their own accord, informed them that they were trespassing, and eventually
gave a dispersal order. The demonstrators repeatedly declined to leave the
atrium, and at that point VSP began to make arrests. Troopers worked with the
protesters to ensure all arrests occurred peacefully and without incident.
The Vermont State Police respects the right of people to
protest and ensures those rights are protected, while also acknowledging that
the owners of private buildings have the right to restrict people from entering
and occupying their property. In this case, the property owner has requested
that protesters not enter the building to ensure users of the facility are able
to access their office spaces.
VSP has been coordinating with the Williston Police
Department and the Chittenden County State’s Attorney’s Office to prepare for an
appropriate response when protected First Amendment activities cross into
criminal trespassing. Law enforcement including VSP ensure protesters are aware
of their legal right to hold demonstrations in public spaces outside the office
building, and also that they would be subject to arrest if they trespassed onto
the property.
The 13 individuals arrested or cited are due to appear for
arraignment at 8:30 a.m. March 2, 2026, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior
Court in Burlington. The state police currently is processing the individuals and
will release their identities in a follow-up statement Monday night.
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