The driver involved in the fatal crash that led to the deaths of two teens in Charleston has been issued a citation to appear in court, Vermont State Police say. Katelyn Deslandes was issued a citation for grossly negligent operation with death resulting.

An arraignment for Deslandes is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Newport.

Deslandes was headed west when she struck a vehicle headed east on Vermont Route 105 at around 8:45 p.m. on Wednesday. The two people who died in the crash were identified as Logan Cota, 18, of Charleston, who was driving the second vehicle, and Taylor Warren, 18, of Lunenburg, who was a passenger.

Deslandes sustained significant injuries and was initially transported to North Country Hospital, and later flown via helicopter to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. “The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash remains active and ongoing,” a statement issued by police reads. “Further charges are pending toxicology results.”

Forged ‘rent to own’ document

A 65-year-old man from Grand Isle was charged with forgery following an incident that took place in North Hero back in January, police say.

On January 26, Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito was made aware of a potential forgery that occurred during a civil eviction process taking place in the Grand Isle County Courts.

DiSabito requested State Police to investigate the incident.

Following an investigation, police allege that in 2021, Carl Bessette presented a forged lease-to-own document which was admitted as evidence into the civil court eviction proceeding.

The document, which Bessette represented to have been signed in 2019 by his late landlord, Willis Fifield, outlined an arrangement where Bessette would acquire through a monthly payment.

The alleged forged document stated that over 15 years of payment, the property he had long rented at on East Shore South, would be his. Police say Bessette will face a charge of forgery in court set for April.

Arrested for hosting out-of-state drug dealers

Two Orleans County residents were arrested yesterday in Westfield, on federal charges relating to the distribution of controlled substances.

Rachael Goulet, 27, and Johnny Crocker, 25, along with an unidentified individual using the street name “Danger,” are accused of conspiring to distribute cocaine, cocaine base, and fentanyl in Vermont.

Investigators say Goulet and Crocker possessed and distributed the drugs from their shared residence in Westfield, and hosted individuals from outside of Vermont at their residence for purposes of obtaining and distributing drugs.

According to court records, “Danger” was one such individual who lived in their residence and distributed large amounts of drugs while collecting the proceeds from the distributions.

The defendants allegedly worked together to bring cocaine and fentanyl into Vermont and then process and distribute it in Orleans County for a profit or to support their own consumption.

Many of the drug-distribution activities involved communications over social media or smartphone applications, police say.

During this time, investigators say Jason Willey, 38, of Derby Line, with whom Goulet and Crocker were acquainted, was shot and seriously wounded in Holland, on January 1, 2022.

A suspect has been charged by the Orleans County State’s Attorney in connection with that shooting, and he is presently in custody in Connecticut on an unrelated charge.

Republished from Newport Dispatch