A Connecticut man with an arrest record for drug possession and distribution has been arrested for attempted murder of two people in Holland, Vermont. 

Vermont State Police have arrested a suspect on multiple charges, including attempted murder, in connection with a New Year’s Day shooting of two people in the Northeast Kingdom Canadian border town. 

Jan Michael Valverde, 27, of New Haven, Connecticut, was arrested on unrelated charges Jan. 18, 2022, by police in his home state. In an unrelated case, he also was arrested by New Haven police in October, 2021 for first-degree larceny, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree failure to appear, possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell/distribute, possession of a controlled substance, interfering with an officer, and violation of probation.

Through investigation by the Vermont State Police, detectives identified Valverde as the suspect in the shooting of Jason Willey, 38, and his mother, Valerie Lyon, 57, both of Derby Line. Willey was critically injured, but his condition has since improved.

According to the VSP investigation, the shooting appears to have been related to drug distribution, and Willey was the intended target. The investigation into this incident led to a federal investigation and drug-related charges against other individuals that were announced Tuesday, Feb. 15, in a separate news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Burlington.

Valverde is currently in custody in Connecticut and faces extradition proceedings prior to his return to Vermont, where he is expected to be charged with two counts each of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and aggravated assault with serious bodily injury.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident remains active and ongoing. Other arrests are anticipated as the investigation proceeds. Police are looking for Jessica Robishaw, 34, who has no permanent address but is known to reside in the Orleans County area. An arrest warrant has been issued for Robishaw on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact.

The Vermont State Police worked closely on this case with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Vermont and Connecticut; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont; and the office of Orleans County State’s Attorney Jennifer Barrett.

No further information is currently available. The affidavit of probable cause will be filed with the court and made public following Valverde’s arraignment in Vermont, which will be scheduled following the completion of extradition proceedings in Connecticut.

Arson arrest – A 37-year-old man has been arrested for first-degree arson in connection with a Rochester fire on December 30.

On Feb. 15 detectives with the Vermont State Police Fire and Explosion Investigation Unit located and interviewed Justin Manly. Manly, who has no address, was a suspect in an alleged arson fire that occurred at 233 Bindrum Lane in Rochester on Dec. 30.  

Information gathered in the months-long investigation led to Manly’s arrest.  Manly has been charged with one count of First Degree Arson.  Manly was held at Southern State Correctional Facility in Springfield, VT on a $10,000 bond.  Manly is scheduled to appear in Windsor County Superior Court, Criminal Division on 2/16/22 at 1230 to answer to the above charge.

Jeep, trailer went through ice, owner unknown – February 15 at 4:30 pm, Vermont State Police received a report of a partially submerged vehicle through the ice in Mississquoi Bay near the Canadian Border in Lake Champlain. The vehicle, identified as a Black Jeep Gladiator, is nearly submerged with a flat-bed trailer still attached. No one is believed to be inside the vehicle. If anyone has any information contact the Vermont State Police St. Albans Barracks at 802-524-5993. The investigation continues.