By VDC staff

A West Rutland man already charged with first degree domestic assault has been cited on fraud and identity theft charges following an investigation into the unauthorized transfer of $1,000 from another person’s Cash App account.

Vermont State Police said the investigation began in February 2026 after Taylor Darling, 30, of West Rutland reported that $1,000 had been taken without authorization from a Cash App account using Darling’s iPhone and transferred elsewhere.

Investigators allege that Adalberto Blake, 48, of West Rutland obtained the personal identifying information of Brandylee Darling, 27, of Springfield without her knowledge or consent and used it to create a fictitious Cash App account in her name. Police said the unauthorized transfer was initiated using Taylor Darling’s iPhone and the money was deposited into an account belonging solely to Blake.

According to state police, bank records, interviews and other digital evidence showed that numerous purchases were made shortly after the stolen funds were received.

Blake was taken into custody on June 13 for first-degree domestic assault. While in custody, he was issued a citation to answer charges of access to a computer for fraudulent purposes and identity theft in connection with the Cash App investigation.

The alleged theft occurred on Feb. 21, in West Rutland. 

Domestic assault in Royalton – A 35-year-old Royalton man was arrested early Tuesday and charged with domestic assault following an alleged incident on North Main Street.

State police said troopers from the Royalton Barracks responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at about 12:22 a.m. on June 16 in Royalton. After investigating, troopers determined that Darius T. Pinion, 35, of Royalton, caused pain to a family or household member.

Pinion was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Royalton Barracks for processing. He was later lodged at the Southern State Correctional Facility in lieu of $1,000 bail.