Suspect has multiple arrest record, reportedly going home to Louisiana

Selectboard regrets offer to pay before suspect’s conviction

By Guy Page

The informant who told police where alleged cop-shooter and repeat offender Scott Mason was hiding is a Louisiana native with a Vermont police record, according to a Caledonian-Record news report.

Antino Pepper provided the necessary information in anticipation of receiving the full $25,000 reward offered by the Town of St. Johnsbury for the successful arrest of the suspected shooter. Afterwards, the selectboard learned the FBI recommends offering rewards leading to the conviction of the apprehended suspect. In Vermont, a criminal trial and conviction can take many months, even over a year. 

“Live and learn,” one selectboard member reportedly said. 

Pepper, 27, of St. Johnsbury, was arrested this June for having an active warrant involving cruelty to a child, according to a Newport Dispatch story based on a State Police press release. The charge reportedly involved leaving a two-year-old on the street unsupervised while he went inside a Portland St. home. 

On Friday, December 13, a reportedly drug-addled Scott Mason, 38 of St. Johnsbury fired a shotgun at St. Johnsbury Police Capt. Jason Gray as police were executing a search warrant on Mason’s home. Gray took about 40 pellets to the chest area, some of which were stopped by his body armor. He was hospitalized with serious injuries and is now recovering at home. He is not expected back on the job soon.

Shortly after the shooting, the Town issued a reward offer leading to Mason’s arrest. Amid a multi-state dragnet, Pepper came forward and volunteered that Mason was hiding next door. Police then arrested Mason.

According to today’s Caledonian-Record news report, Pepper volunteered that shooting cops is “not cool” but also said he informed for money so that he can get back to Louisiana. 

Monday, December 23, the St. Johnsbury selectboard authorized the full payment of the award, even though a former selectboard member recommended installment payments. The reward was authorized at an emergency meeting December 14.

The motivation for the reward “wasn’t just the shooting of a police officer,” Police Chief Joel Pierce told the Caledonian-Record. “It’s that somebody wasn’t thinking rationally and there was a violent active threat to the community.” Mason, a repeat criminal with arrests involving violence and drug trafficking, is now being held at a state prison. 

At the December 23 selectboard meeting, former member Tim Angell recommended paying by installment.  Pepper is known to police and prosecutors and because of his (unspecified) problems Angell said “I think 25,000 dollars hitting this gentleman’s pocket all at once is going to cause troubles. I don’t think 25,000 dollars all at once is going to be safe for himself or the community.”

“I think giving it out over the course of 18 months or 12 months will give him the ability to straighten some things out,” Angell said. “I think it will serve him better in his future.”

The board did not take Angell’s suggestion, and instead voted to promptly pay the lump sum payment.