By VDC staff
Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer is facing new criminal charges as additional alleged victims have come forward in an ongoing investigation by the Vermont State Police.
Authorities said detectives recently submitted a new affidavit seeking charges of lewd and lascivious conduct and solicitation of prostitution. The allegations claim Palmer, 39, of Windsor, paid a woman on multiple occasions to engage in sex acts and sent unsolicited sexual material to another woman.
The new affidavit was filed with the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s Office, which is handling prosecution of the case. Palmer is expected to be arraigned on the additional charges at his next scheduled court appearance.
The latest developments follow Palmer’s initial arrest Jan. 27, 2026, after a months-long investigation into allegations of misconduct. At that time, he was taken into custody at the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office and processed at the Westminster Barracks before being released on conditions, including a curfew. He was arraigned the following day in Vermont Superior Court.
According to state police, the investigation began in July 2025 after anonymous tips were submitted through the state’s tip line raising concerns about possible financial irregularities within the sheriff’s office. As detectives continued their work, additional tips and information led investigators to examine allegations of sexual misconduct.
Police said multiple victims were identified over the course of the investigation and provided statements and evidence supporting the allegations.
The case has been handled by investigators from outside the region to avoid potential conflicts of interest, and state police have worked in coordination with prosecutors from Bennington County.
Elected in November of 2022, Sheriff Palmer took office in February of 2023. He started his law enforcement career with the Claremont, N.H. Police Department in the Fall of 2006. Ryan, attended the 142 NHPSTC Full-time Police Academy in Concord, NH. Ryan is a Certified Firearms Instructor, School Resource Officer, and FBI Crisis Negotiator. He quickly built a reputation for acquiring contracts and hiring deputies at a time when manpower shortages and ‘defund the police’ movement was making staff a significant problem for virtually all Vermont law enforcement agencies.
The investigation remains active, and authorities say additional charges are possible. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Vermont State Police in Derby at 802-334-8881 or submit an anonymous tip online.