Also, arrests for domestic violence and DUI, and search for stolen Baby Jesus statue

By Guy Page

A Derby Line man is accused of threatening federal agents. 

Timothy Christopher, 28, of Derby Line, was cited after Vermont State Police investigated a report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection that Christopher made verbal and physical threats toward CBP agents near U.S. Route 5 and Ducharme Drive in Derby Line on Jan. 7 at about 6:58 p.m. 

Police said the threats involved serious harm to agents. Following the investigation, Christopher was cited to appear in Orleans County Superior Court on charges of criminal threatening and disorderly conduct. News reports show this was not Christopher’s first interaction with law enforcement; in 2022, the Newport Express reported that he pleaded innocent to a resisting arrest charge stemming from a July encounter outside the Circle K on Main Street in Derby Line, where troopers said he ignored repeated commands to stop despite having a pending arrest warrant.

In a separate police blotter entry, Vermont State Police are asking for the public’s help in locating a stolen Baby Jesus and lamb statue taken from a nativity scene in Marshfield. The theft was reported Jan. 3 at about 9:19 p.m. and is believed to have occurred sometime between Jan. 2 and Jan. 3 from a business on Cabot Road. Anyone with information or who observed suspicious activity in the area during that time is asked to contact Vermont State Police at the Berlin Barracks.

Domestic assault arrests were also reported in multiple towns:

• Ryan Battease, 27, of Danby, was arrested after troopers responded to a domestic disturbance in Danby. Police said their investigation determined Battease caused pain, fear, and/or bodily injury to a family or household member. He was lodged at Marble Valley Regional Correctional Facility on $1,000 bail and cited to appear in Rutland Superior Court on Jan. 12 at 12:30 p.m.

• Richard H. Gaboury II, 36, of Granville, was arrested following a reported domestic disturbance on North Fayston Road in Waitsfield. Police said Gaboury assaulted a domestic partner and caused them to fear for their safety. He was later located and arrested on charges of domestic assault, interference with access to emergency services, and grand larceny, and cited to appear in Washington County Superior Court on Jan. 12 at 12:30 p.m.

• Steven Smith, 45, of Lyndon, was arrested Jan. 11 after troopers responded to a report of a domestic assault in Lyndon. Police said Smith committed first-degree aggravated domestic assault. He was held at the Northeastern Correctional Complex for lack of $2,500 bail and cited to appear in Caledonia County Superior Court on Jan. 12 at 12:30 p.m.

Several DUI-related arrests were also logged by state police:

• Stephanie Rotax, 41, of Ripton, was arrested Jan. 11 after troopers received a report of an erratic vehicle and conducted a traffic stop on Route 116 in Bristol. Police said they observed indicators of impairment, and Rotax was processed and released with a citation to appear in Addison County Superior Court on Jan. 26.

• Zachary Mayhew, 37, of St. Johnsbury, was arrested after a single-vehicle crash on Depot Hill Road and Model A Drive in St. Johnsbury. Troopers reported signs of impairment and cited Mayhew on charges of DUI refusal and negligent operation, with a court date of Jan. 26 in Caledonia County.

• Benazir Iderbei, 39, of Royalton, was arrested following a single-vehicle crash on Route 14 in Royalton on Jan. 9. Police said Iderbei was impaired and issued a citation to appear in Windsor County Superior Court.

• Chad Park, 53, of Alburgh, was cited after troopers found he was operating a vehicle under the influence on North Main Street in Alburgh while his license was criminally suspended.

All arrestees are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.