| A federal grand jury has indicted an Alabama man for 10 counts of wire fraud after he allegedly defrauded a Vermont woman he met on an online dating site in 2022, the Journal-Opinion reports today. Authorities say Cedric Wormely, 58, of Birmingham, pretended he was from New England when he met the woman. DOJ: “Wormely allegedly told the victim that while he had a pension, he was having difficulty accessing it and needed the victim’s financial support for a large construction job that he had taken on in Mississippi. Based on promises that Wormely would repay her, and the victim’s belief that Wormely’s romantic intentions and business opportunities were legitimate, the victim transferred over $100,000 to Wormely via money transfer applications and wire transfers.” He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Police search Bradford property in missing person case – Vermont State Police say they will continue a court-ordered search of an Old Post Road property today as part of an investigation into the disappearance of Corey Crooker, the JO reports. Crooker, 43, was last seen by family members on Jan. 9, although the last-known communication with him was on Jan. 14. VSP: “Initial investigation suggested the disappearance of Corey Crooker was not suspicious, but further efforts by VSP have developed evidence that indicate the circumstances are potentially criminal in nature.” Subscribing to the daily Journal-Opinion newsletter is free. School bus crash – On February 4 at 2:45 PM, Vermont State Police responded to Water Tower Rd. in Berkshire for a single vehicle crash / slide off involving a school bus transporting students from Berkshire Elementary. Students were transported from the scene after being cleared by EMS with no reported injuries. The bus, operated by Michael Tessier, 57, of Berkshire, slid off the roadway due to snow and icy conditions. The bus was pulled back onto the roadway and driven from the scene. |