by Mike Donoghue, Vermont News First
A version of this news story appears in today’s Journal-Opinion newsletter.
An investigation into a recent suspected homicide case in Orange County has led to federal gun charges against a three-time convicted felon from Bradford, officials said.
James D. Nickles Jr., 42, is facing federal charges for possessing a shotgun and handgun this week while being a convicted felon, Vermont State Police said.
Nickles also is charged with possessing the two firearms while being an unlawful user of controlled substances, Det. Sgt. Isaac Merriam said in court papers.
Merriam wrote the Vermont State Police is conducting a criminal investigation regarding possible charges for homicide, assault and robbery, aggravated assault, accessory in aiding in the commission of a felony and for persons prohibited from possessing firearms.
“Specifically, this investigation concerns the suspicious disappearance of Corey Crooker,” Merriam wrote. He did not elaborate.
Crooker, 43, of Bradford was last seen in early January, according to VSP Trooper Adam Aremburg.
No state homicide charges have been filed.
Federal Magistrate Kevin J. Doyle agreed Wednesday afternoon with a government request that Nickles be detained pending further proceedings.
Doyle set a probable cause hearing for Feb. 19.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Colin Owyang said in a detention motion that the evidence against Nickles was great and he was a danger to the community.
Owyang said Nickles admitted having three cocaine trafficking convictions dating back to 2011.
Nickles and his girlfriend Lisa Akey, 41, lived at the residence, Merriam said.
Nickles admitted having a .40-caliber Taurus Tactical handgun and a 12-gauge Remington Supermag shotgun at the house. He also said it was likely that the DNA for him and Akey would be found on the guns, Merriam said.
The Vermont Crime Scene Search Team found the guns in the bedroom Nickles and Akey shared, he said.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives confirmed those firearms had crossed state lines.
State police had found Nickles, Akey and two others when they arrived at 660 Old Post Road in Bradford on Tuesday to conduct a court-ordered search.
Akey told police that Crooker had been at her house, but claimed he had left with an unknown woman in a dark colored SUV, Merriam wrote. No date was mentioned in the affidavit.
Nickles said he and Akey were active drugs users when Merriam and Det. Sgt. Seth Richardson interviewed him, records show. Nickles said he uses crack cocaine and his drug use is the worst in his lifetime, Merriam said.
He said Akey uses “down,” a synonym for opiates like Fentanyl and heroin.
Akey, who was asked if Crooker possibly showed up trying to buy drugs, said she did not provide him with drugs, Merriam said. She said she gave him a piece of tinfoil to take the edge off, police said.
Akey claimed she gave Crooker a jacket because it was cold and he did not have one, police said.
She eventually refused to answer additional questions without an attorney present, Merriam said. She left the state police office in Bradford.
Initial reports indicated Crooker’s disappearance in early January were not suspicious, police said. However, as days went on and more concerns were raised, police said the disappearance might be criminal in nature.
State police had reported on Jan. 18 that troopers had been asked to do a welfare check for Crooker. He had no known fixed address in Bradford, but a family member had seen him on Jan. 9, police said.
The last known communication with Crooker was on Jan. 14, Aremburg said.
The Vermont Crime Scene Search Team spent Tuesday at the residence and were back again Wednesday.
The Vermont State Police Major Crime Unit, detectives and uniform troopers, along with Bradford Police were on the scene.
While Crooker does not have a fixed address, he also is known to frequent Newbury and Wells River in Vermont and Haverhill in New Hampshire.
He is a white male, about 6 feet tall, 190 pounds and possibly wearing a Columbia jacket.