ADDISON COUNTY / BRANDON — On Nov. 20 the Vermont State Police Special Investigation Unit in Rutland arrested Joseph M. Johnson, 53, of Franklin Street in Brandon and charged him with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.
Police alleged that Johnson fondled a 10-year-old girl from a nearby town during her visit to his home the previous weekend. He pleaded innocent when arraigned in Rutland Superior Court, Criminal Division, on Monday, and was released.
Lewd and lascivious conduct with a child holds a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine.
In other recent activity, Vermont State Police:
•  On Nov. 19 at 2:10 p.m. responded to a one-car crash on Route 17 near Field Days Road in New Haven. Police report that 18-year-old Angela Volk of Vergennes was driving a 1996 Oldsmobile sedan westbound on Route 17 and as her vehicle entered into a sharp curve, its right tires went onto the soft shoulder. Volk reportedly lost control of her vehicle and left the road. The vehicle struck a tree and rolled onto its roof. Volk was able to get out of the vehicle and was uninjured. Police issued her a traffic ticket.
•  On Nov. 19 at 8:27 p.m. stopped a vehicle driven on Route 22A in Bridport by Bianca Dwy, 23, of Bridport for speeding and cited her for driving with a criminally suspended license.
•  On Nov. 20 received a report that that someone had damaged a mailbox with a baseball bat on Lake Road in Addison. Anyone with information is asked to contact the VSP at 388-4919. Information can also be submitted online at www.vtips.info or by texting “CRIMES” (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.
•  On Nov. 21 at 6:36 a.m. responded to a two-car crash on Route 7 in Ferrisburgh. Police report that a 2011 Chevy Aveo driven by Richard Mossey, 53, of Rutland rear-ended a 2001 Nissan SUV driven by Andrea Foster, 37, of Vergennes. While both were traveling northbound on Route 7, police said, Foster slowed down for vehicles in front of her and Mossey struck her car. Police allege that Mossey was traveling faster than the posted speed limit and failed to slow down for the slower moving Nissan. The Chevy sustained substantial front-end damage, and the Nissan sustained minor rear-end damage.
The trooper cited Mossey for driving under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana and possession of a narcotic.
•  On Nov. 21 at approximately 5:03 p.m. responded to a two-vehicle crash with injuries on Route 7 near the intersection of Route 17. Police are investigating the circumstances of the accident, but they said that in the northbound lane in front of Phoenix Feeds a 2011 Subaru Impreza sedan driven by Martha S. Raymond, 50, of Vergennes came in contact with a 2009 GMC Sierra truck driven by Christopher J. Austin, 42, of Waitsfield. The Impreza sustained moderate side swipe damage to the driver’s side, and the truck sustained damage on the passenger side front quadrant and tire damage.
Raymond was taken to Porter Hospital to be treated for hip pain.
The crash is under investigation. State police remind drivers to drive with care during the holiday season. Anyone with information on this accident is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Nov. 21 at a little before 10 p.m. responded to a family disturbance call at a residence on Cold Springs Road in Bristol. Troopers took 34-year-old Jamie M. Smith of West Fairlee into protective custody for intoxication and cited him for possession of a controlled substance.
•  Received a report that on Nov. 22 at approximately 2:30 a.m. an Addison resident’s mailbox was vandalized by a passing motor vehicle. Anyone with information is asked to contact the VSP.
•  On Nov. 22 at 2:05 p.m. responded to a one-vehicle crash in Bridport. Police said that Joseph Woods, 19, of Bridport was driving a 2006 Dodge Durango westbound on Hemenway Road when he lost control of his vehicle and traveled off the roadway. The vehicle hit a fence and began to roll. The SUV sustained extensive damage to the front hood and roof. Wood was wearing his seatbelt and only sustained a minor injury to his thumb; he was taken to Porter Hospital. No other vehicles or passengers were involved.
•  On Nov. 23 at approximately 9:19 a.m. responded to a report of a three-car crash on Route 116 in Starksboro near the intersection of States Prison Hollow Road. police said their investigation showed that Mona Tatro, 41, of New Haven was driving a Chevy Lumina northbound on Route 116 followed by Ashleigh Smith, 30, of Bristol in a Toyota Tercel and Nina Daniel, 46, of Starksboro in a 2012 Mini Cooper.
According to police, Tatro slowed down and signaled to turn right off Route 116 into a private drive. Smith slowed her vehicle accordingly, but Daniel was unable to slow in time and veered to the right to avoid hitting the rear of Smith’s Tercel. Daniel’s Mini Cooper grazed the rear bumper of Smith’s car before hitting the passenger side rear of Tatro’s Lumina as she was turning into the private drive.
None of the drivers sustained any injury. Daniel was issued a traffic ticket as a result of the crash. The Vermont State Police urge drivers to remain attentive at all times while operating their vehicles.
•  On Nov. 23 at 5:52 p.m. responded to a one-vehicle crash on Route 22A in Orwell. Police report that Joseph Gillotti, 33, of Vergennes was driving a Chevy truck southbound on Route 22A in Orwell, and while attempting to pass a vehicle Gillotti lost control of his vehicle on the wet roadway. Gillotti’s truck slid off the road, landing in a pond, where it was almost completely submerged. Gillotti, who was wearing a seat belt, did not require medical attention. The trooper gave him a ticket for driving too fast for conditions.
•  On Nov. 23 at 8:20 p.m. received a report that 16-year-old Scott Tower, who was in the custody of the Department of Children and Families, had run away. Police said Tower was residing in Bridport but was dropped off in Monkton. That day police put out a report to be on the lookout for Tower, whom they said was reported to be with Jeffrey Tanner, 18, and Justin Stevenson, 30. Police believed that they may have been headed to Florida, North Carolina or New Jersey. There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding this incident as Tower had intentionally left with Tanner and Stevenson. They were last known to be traveling in a turquoise Mazda truck. Anyone with information as to their whereabouts is encouraged to call the state police in New Haven at 388-4919.
•  On Nov. 24 at approximately 1:15 a.m. stopped a motor vehicle on Sand Road in Ferrisburgh and cited the driver, Jennifer M. Poulos, 26, of Ferrisburgh, for driving under the influence, speeding and careless and negligent driving.
•  On Nov. 24 at 4:09 a.m. were dispatched to New Haven Road in Vergennes to assist Vergennes police with a vehicle off the road. Police cited the driver of the vehicle, identified as 22-year-old Kyle Benjamin of Bristol, for driving under the influence of alcohol and possession of marijuana.
•  On Nov. 25 at around 5 p.m. responded to a two-vehicle collision on Route 7 north of Greenbush Road in Ferrisburgh. Police report that a 2010 Mazda driven by Michelene Dutil, 38, of South Burlington was stopped in the northbound lane attempting to make a left turn when a 2012 Chrysler driven by Dorothy Myers, 82, of Ferrisburgh rear ended it. The weather was reported to be clear and the road dry. The Chrysler was totaled and the Mazda sustained minor rear-end damage. Both drivers were checked by rescue squad personnel, and no injuries were reported.
•  On Nov. 26 responded to two reports of burglary in Salisbury. In the first, a residence on Upper Plains Road was broken into and numerous items were reported stolen. Anyone who saw suspicious people or vehicles in the area between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Monday is asked to call VSP. In the second, a home on Leland Road was broken into between 9:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. by forcing a side window open. Various items were reported taken. This case is under investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Nov. 26 at 11 a.m. received a report of a burglary at a seasonal residence on Lake Street in Addison. The burglary occurred sometime within the last month and entry was gained by forcing open a back door. The owners are still taking an inventory. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP.
•  On Nov. 26 at 3:35 p.m. were called to a two-vehicle crash on Route 125 in Bridport. Police said a 1999 Ford Escort driven by Keith Craig, 69, of Addison was following a Case IH 9350 tractor driven by Brian Blake, 22, of Middlebury. When Craig attempted to pass the tractor, the tractor turned left toward a farm road and the two vehicles collided, the trooper reported. There were no injuries and neither vehicle needed to be towed from the scene.
•  On Nov. 26 responded to a two-vehicle crash on Bristol Road in Monkton. Upon arrival the trooper found that a 2000 John Deere combine tractor driven by Brian Hill, 42, of Bristol had been traveling northbound in the northbound lane, and a 2003 Subaru Legacy wagon driven by Gaen Murphree, 53, of Middlebury had been traveling southbound. The trooper reported that the tractor was wider than the lane, and that contact was made in the southbound lane between Murphree’s vehicle and the tractor.
No one was injured. The John Deere sustained a bent ladder; the Subaru sustained damage to the driver’s side fender, door and A post. The crash is under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to contact VSP at 802-388-4919; information can also be submitted anonymously online at www.vtips.info or by texting “CRIMES” (274637) to Keyword: VTIPS.