SIX OF THE ARRESTEES in Monday’s raid in Bethel are (from left to right in slideshow) Annette Ruotol, Anthony Moore, Ayla Dartt, Ethan Farrar, Jennell Risbara, and Marcus Hodges.

by Guy Page

A multi-agency law enforcement operation in Bethel early Monday morning, May 5 resulted in the arrest of more than a dozen individuals on various charges including drug possession, outstanding warrants, and violations of court orders.

The coordinated action, led by the Vermont State Police (VSP), unfolded at 6:15 AM at a home on Christian Hill Road. The search was conducted as part of an ongoing investigation into a stolen vehicle complaint in Windsor County.

According to police, several individuals exited the home when instructed by law enforcement. However, two remained inside, prompting the deployment of VSP’s Tactical Services Unit. Officers used gas, flash-bang devices, and a robot to safely gain control of the situation. No injuries were reported.

During a subsequent court-authorized search of the residence, investigators discovered cocaine and located multiple individuals wanted on existing warrants. The following people were arrested or cited:

• Thomas M. Brooks, 41, Bethel – Arrested on a Vermont DUI-drug warrant. Lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) on $300 bail.
  
• Gardner M. Moses, 56, Tunbridge – Cited for violation of condition of release.
  
• India R. Tweedie, 34, Bethel – Arrested on multiple charges including fentanyl and cocaine trafficking, animal cruelty, retail theft, and violation of an abuse prevention order. Held at SSCF on $1,000 bail.
  
• Brandin C. Durkee, 37, Royalton – Cited for possession of cocaine.
  
• Jesse Durkee, 40, Royalton – Arrested on a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful trespass. Held at SSCF on $5,000 bail.
  
• Ayla M. Dartt, 36, Bethel – Cited for possession of cocaine.
  
• Jennell Risbara, 28, Paris, Maine – Cited for possession of cocaine.
  
• Ethan Farrar, 29, Paris, Maine – Cited for possession of cocaine.
  
• Annette Ruotolo, 39, Royalton – Arrested as a fugitive from justice related to felony charges in New Hampshire. Held at SSCF on $15,000 bail.
  
• Marcus A. Hodges, 34, East Hartford, CT – Cited for possession of cocaine.
  
• Anthony Moore, 33, Hartford, CT – Cited for possession of cocaine.
  

Court appearances for several of the accused were held this week, with others to follow in June. All court proceedings will take place in the Vermont Superior Court – Windsor Criminal Division.

Supporting agencies included the Windsor County Sheriff’s Department, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Vermont National Guard, and White River Valley Ambulance.

Homeless man violates curfew, no longer welcome at priest’s house – A homeless man with a lengthy criminal record was released from jail Wednesday, May 7 under strict court conditions after a judge allowed him to seek medical treatment and employment, despite new charges of violating curfew while staying at the home of a local Catholic priest, the Caledonian-Record reports.

Benjamin Heath, 35, was granted release from jail by Judge Michael Kainen following an arraignment on six new charges of curfew violations. Heath has 21 open criminal dockets, including past offenses and the most recent allegations involving breaches of a court-ordered curfew.

St. Johnsbury Police Officer Jasmine Hendry arrested Heath on Monday, alleging he repeatedly failed to remain at the residence of Father Lance Harlow, the priest at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where he had been offered shelter as a condition of his previous release. The curfew was a critical requirement of his release terms.

Father Harlow reported multiple curfew violations to police and said he had kept a written record of the incidents. According to court documents, the priest eventually informed authorities that Heath could no longer stay at the residence.

Deputy State’s Attorney Tom Paul pushed for $1,000 bail, citing both the volume of Heath’s pending cases and what he described as strong evidence from a “reliable source.”

“We have the sworn testimony of a Catholic priest, so I think that’s pretty substantial,” said Paul in court, arguing that Heath had already been given leniency and “by his own actions” failed to uphold his responsibilities.

Represented by defense attorney Brandon Sheffert, Heath pleaded not guilty to the new charges and was released with instructions to attend a medical appointment at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, seek employment, and comply with all future court orders.

Judge Kainen made it clear that this release was conditional and final: Heath must follow all rules set by the court or face immediate reincarceration.

The court did not specify where Heath would be staying following his eviction from the church residence.

Hate crime assault – Vermont State Police have arrested Howard Stevens, 44, and Cherie Kinney, 43, both of Concord, following an incident involving two homeless individuals in St. Johnsbury. According to authorities, the pair were taken into custody on May 7 after an altercation the previous evening at the intersection of Route 2 and Route 18. Stevens faces charges of simple assault and hate-motivated crime against victims Devine Campbell-Reid, 27, and Melissa Howard, 41, while Kinney was arrested on simple assault charges and an outstanding in-state warrant.

Troopers responded to reports of a citizen dispute involving a possible stolen vehicle around 9:25 PM on May 6, but the suspects had fled before officers arrived. Both defendants were located and apprehended the following day. Kinney was lodged at Northeast Correctional Complex on $500 bail with a court appearance scheduled for May 8 in Essex County. Both suspects face additional court proceedings for assault charges on June 16 in Caledonia County Court.