Murder charges have been filed against Jason Roberts of Maryland, who police say assaulted his one-month-old daughter in February, 2001 in Derby. His daughter died in 2016 of the injuries.

In April 2017, detectives with the Vermont State Police began an investigation into the death of Madison Simoneau, formerly Destiny Roberts, which occurred on July 16, 2016, at Boston Children’s Hospital. Madison was 15 years old at the time of her death. 

The subsequent investigation revealed that Madison died as a result of complications of an intentional injury she sustained on or around February 3, 2001, when she was just over a month old.

Jason Roberts, Madison’s biological father, was previously charged with First Degree Aggravated Domestic Assault in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Unit, as a result of the intentional injuries sustained by Madison in February 2001.

On March 31, an arrest warrant was issued in Vermont Superior Court, Orleans Unit, for the arrest of Jason Roberts on the charge of Second-Degree Murder. The arrest warrant orders Roberts to be held without bail pending his arraignment. Roberts was taken into custody on April 1 by members of the Blount County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshall Service in Maryville Tennessee. 

Roberts is currently in custody in the State of Tennessee pending his extradition to the State of Vermont to face charges.

Further details are contained in the affidavit of probable cause that is on file with Vermont Superior Court in Newport Vermont.

Drug bust – Two Montpelier men were arrested for drug possession after a motor vehicle stop on Rte. 2 in East Montpelier Saturday afternoon. 

Troopers with the Vermont State Police conducted a traffic stop following an observed motor vehicle violation. The operator was identified as Sampson Ackerson, 24, and one of the passengers was identified as Robert Harris, 27.

After a K9 alerted on the vehicle, troopers located about 23 grams of cocaine, 1.5 ounces of marijuana, and over $2700 cash belonging to Ackerson and Harris. 

Both were taken into custody without incident and transported to the Vermont State Police Middlesex Barracks for processing. Both parties were issued citations to appear in Washington County Superior Court – Criminal Division and subsequently released.

Bradford hit-and-run — A 46-year-old man from New Hampshire was charged with leaving the scene of an accident in Bradford last week.

Authorities were alerted to a hit-and-run crash in front of Hannaford’s on March 25. Police say the suspect vehicle, an older square-bodied Jeep Cherokee, fled the scene.

The victim, Renee Plante, 62, of Springfield, sustained a minor injury and her vehicle was undriveable due to damage. Following an investigation, police say that the driver of the Jeep was identified as William Rutledge Jr., of Piermont, NH.

He did not abide by the duty to stop and exchange information in the event of a motor vehicle crash resulting in damage and injury.

Yesterday, Rutledge was located and cited to appear in court to answer the charges.