Category: Public Safety

Scott, other GOP leaders join condemnation of Pretti shooting

One widely shared account suggests that during the struggle, one or more ICE officers shouted “gun,” prompting another officer to draw a weapon. According to this version, Pretti’s sidearm was removed by an officer who then walked away, but the weapon discharged negligently. Some commentators point to the Sig Sauer P320 handgun, which has been the subject of lawsuits and controversy over unintentional discharges, typically when dropped. The theory suggests the discharge may have led other agents to believe Pretti was firing, resulting in what they perceived as a justified use of deadly force. “If this is what happened, it’s an incredibly unfortunate accident,” one commenter wrote.

Notorious repeat offender Breer denied release by Parole Board

Harley Breer Jr., 56, who public safety officials consider “one of the most dangerous criminals in the state,” was denied release from prison by the Vermont Parole Board on Thursday. His adult criminal record, which began when he was 18, includes 25 felony arrests with 14 convictions, parole board records show. Breer also has 47 misdemeanor arrests with 11 convictions, they noted.

Bernie Sanders condemns the assassination of Charlie Kirk

“Freedom and democracy are not about political violence,” said Sanders. “It is not about assassinating public officials. It is not about trying to intimidate people who speak out on an issue. Political violence, in fact, is political cowardice. It means that you cannot convince people of the correctness of your ideas, and you have to impose them through force. Every American, no matter what one’s political point of view may be, must condemn all forms of political violence and all forms of intimidation.”

Franklin County drug dealers face the Feds

John “Fluffy” Lapan, 41, of St. Albans appeared in U.S. District Court on Monday afternoon for a federal criminal complaint that he was involved in three controlled drug purchases in February, according to an affidavit from the St. Albans City Police.

Meanwhile, Jonathan J. Letourneau, 36, also of St. Albans is named in a separate criminal complaint for a charge of knowingly and intentionally distributing crack cocaine in Franklin County in January, records show. He is due in federal court later.

Blaise in trouble again for drugs

Thomas “T.J.” Blaise, 44, was found with nearly one pound of cocaine following a motor vehicle stop by Vergennes City Police on Tuesday night, records show.  A digital scale was found under the driver’s seat, along with a large amount of currency loose inside a bag and more concealed in a sock, HSI said.

Death penalty for NEK Border Patrol case

One new count charges Youngblut “with malice aforethought, unlawfully killed” Maland by shooting him while he was engaged in the performance of his duties. The second new charge maintains Youngblut carried a firearm during a crime of violence – the murder alleged in count one of the new indictments. She used a Glock model 23 .40-caliber pistol, the indictment said. One of the previous charges has been amended to say that Youngblut actually shot at two Border Patrol Agents that were with Maland.  The new indictment identified them only by the initials “J.M” and “D.W.”