A former sheriff’s deputy has been accused of misrepresenting their badge at a business in Addison County.

The Addison County Sheriff’s Department said they recently learned that the former deputy showed a badge at a local business in an attempt to gain access to free items.

Police say this person also mentioned that they were “best friends” with the Sheriff in order to further intimidate and pressure the business into giving them what they wanted.

The Sheriff’s Office said that they will not tolerate this behavior from any current or former employee. If you encounter anyone claiming to be a deputy who is attempting to use their position like this, report it immediately. The department says they strive to maintain the trust that the community puts in them, and do not approve of this behavior.

Police say the individual is a former employee, having been terminated from employment prior to Sheriff Newton taking over, but they have not released the name of the deputy.

The fact that this individual still possesses a badge is being investigated. – Republished from Newport Dispatch

A collision between a train and a drunk driver was averted in Braintree this morning, police say.

Twenty-two minutes after midnight this morning, State Police were notified a vehicle had driven onto the railroad tracks on Route 12A, Braintree.  

State Police immediately notified the appropriate rail road authorities informing them of the railway blockage. The vehicle operated by Christa Weal, 46 of Braintree traveled about 100 yards north on the railroad tracks before becoming immobile. A train had to be notified to stop prior to entering the area.

 During troopers’ conversation with Weal, she showed signs of impairment and was subsequently taken into custody and processed for DUI-Alcohol. She was released on a citation. 

Federal indictment for unlawful possession of firearms – A grand jury has indicted Jesse Sweet, 26, and Eric Raymond, 31, both of Swanton, with unlawful possession of firearms. The investigation is being led by Vermont State Police, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as the Swanton Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.  

Sweet is charged with possessing a Ruger .308 rifle while he was an unlawful user of controlled substances and after having been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.  Court records explain that in or about December 2021, Sweet traded a snowmobile for that rifle.  

Raymond is charged with possession of an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 rifle after having been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year.  Court records explain that on February 2, 2022, police observed Raymond driving an ATV toward the back portions of his Swanton residence.  Police followed those tracks, which led to footprints, which led to the firearm below an abandoned vehicle.