ARREST: Sexual Assault, Cruelty to a child, Lewd or Lascivious Conduct with a Child, Luring a Child, Selling and Dispensing Regulated Drugs to a Minor

SUMMARY: Sexual Assault, Cruelty to a child, Lewd or Lascivious Conduct with a Child, Luring a Child, Selling and Dispensing Regulated Drugs to a Minor

Case #: 23WM001548

On July 11, 2023 the Wilmington Police Department received a report from the Department of Children and Family alleging that over several years a minor under the age of 13 had been sexually assaulted multiple times and provided drugs while in Wilmington, VT. Wilmington Police Department conducted an investigation assisted by DCF and CAC and as a result, Margaret "Peggy-Sue" Heffernan, age 54, of Wilmington VT was found to have sexually assaulted a minor on multiple occasions during the years of 2015-2017. Heffernan was arrested and processed at the Wilmington Police Department. she was released on conditions of release and issued a criminal citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on August 18, 2023 where she was arraigned on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault- Repeated, Aggravated Sexual Assault- Victim Under 13 Years, and Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child. Following her arraignment she was issued conditions of release by the court and released.

ARREST: Aggravated Cruelty to a child, Accessory aiding commission of felony, Violation of Conditions of Release

 SUMMARY: Aggravated Cruelty to a Child, Accessory Aiding Commission of Felony, Violation of Conditions of Release

CASE#: 23WM001548

On July 11, 2023 the Wilmington Police Department received a report from Department of Children and Family alleging that over several years, a minor under the age of 13 had been sexually assaulted multiple times and provided drugs while in Wilmington, VT. Wilmington Police Department conducted an investigation, assisted by DCF and CAC, and as a result found that Ramon Soto, age 47, of Wilmington VT aided in the sexual assaults of a minor on multiple occasions during years 2015-2017. Soto was arrested and processed at the Wilmington Police Department. During processing it was found that he had been consuming alcohol, which was a violation of his current conditions of release. He was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail, issued conditions of release and transported to the Windham County Court house to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on August 21, 2023. He was arraigned on charges of Aggravated Sexual Assault- Victim Under 13 Years, Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child, and Violation of Conditions of Release by the court and released. 

Incident: Storm Response

 Summary: Storm Response

Case#: 23WM001541

On July 10, 2023 the town of Wilmington experienced localized flooding from the recent intense rain storms. During National Weather Service "Flood Warning" Events the Wilmington Police Department actively monitors our waterways especially the North Branch of the Deerfield River which winds through Wilmington Village Center. Below is a chronological list of the river heights in the Village Center as observed by WPD Personnel on 7/10/23:

    0012 - under flood height measures

    0320 - under flood height measures

    0640 - under flood height measures

    0950 - 9 FT

    0954 - 10 FT

    1051 - 10.5 FT

    1116 - 11 FT

    1150 - 12 FT

    1314 - 13 FT

    1329 - 13.5 FT

    1413 - 15 FT

    1513 - 16 FT

    1549 - 16 FT

    1700 - 15 FT   

    1746 - 13.6 FT

    1844 - 11.6 FT

    2014 - 9.6 FT

    2130 - 8.6 FT

    2130 - 7.6 FT

    0017 - 7 Ft

During this flooding event as part of our flood response protocols Wilmington Police Department Dispatchers have a notification list for property owners in flood prone areas. During this recent event Wilmington Police Dispatchers S. Luchsinger and E. Goldsmith conducted the notifications while also handling emergency calls, contacting resources to respond to our area and providing information to the many non-emergency calls received at Wilmington Police Dispatch. Dispatch notified business owners of equipment stored in flood prone areas and assisted in coordinating the removal of the equipment (these areas were later flooded). 

In addition th traffic/road closures, the Wilmington Police Department responded to the following calls:

    - Assisted with evacuating a summer camp

    - Assisted moving motel guest from a partially flooded motel

    - Assisted with traffic control and road closures including the closing of VT Route 100 North when the North Branch of the Deerfield River flooded over the roadway in multiple locations

    - Assist to homeowners with accessing their residence so WFD could pump out their flooded basement

    - Assist business with moving items from flood prone area

    - Respond to WFD to report of subject in the flood water

The town of Wilmington, Wilmington Police, Wilmington Fire, Wilmington Highway, and VT Trans assisted with closing roadways, responded to calls of service and continued efforts to keep the public informed. Wilmington roadways are passable but motorists should take caution for washed out roadways, standing water, and debris in the roadway. The West Main Street parking lot is closed at this time to allow Wilmington Highway to rebuild that area.

Arrest: Arrest on Warrant

 Summary: Arrest on Warrant

Case #: 23WM001709

On August 1, 2023 at approximately 1:25 PM, the Wilmington Police Department responded to an emergency call. While on scene, officers had contact with Ashley Aubert-Clark, age 24, of Guilford VT who was found to have an active arrest warrant for Failure to Appear for a charge of Disorderly Conduct- Fight/Hate Crime. Aubert-Clark was taken into custody and transported to the Wilmington Police Department for processing. She was processed, released on bail, and was issued a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on August 8, 2023.

Arrest: Violation of Conditions of Release

 Summary: Violation of Conditions of Release

Case #: 23WM001689

On July 29, 2023 at approximately 5:17 PM, the Wilmington Police Department responded to a local business after receiving a report of an individual consuming alcohol in violation of their court ordered conditions of release. Further investigation found the individual at al local establishment consuming alcohol in violation of their conditions of release. As a result, Raymond J Bronson, age 63, of Wilmington VT was arrested and processed at the Wilmington Police Department. He was released on a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on July 31, 2023 at 12:30 PM to answer to the charge. 

Arrest: DUI

 Summary: DUI

Case #: 23WM001683

On July 29, 2023 at approximately 1:28 AM, the Wilmington Police Department conducted a motor vehicle stop for defective equipment- no rear plate lights- on Whitney Lane in Wilmington. During the stop, the officer detected signs of impairment and screened the operator who was subsequently arrested for DUI. The operator, Maya L Holschuh, age 25, of Wilmington VT was processed at the Wilmington Police Department and released on a citation to appear in the Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on August 15, 2023 at 8:30 AM to answer to the charge.

Arrest: Arrest on Warrant

 Summary: Arrest Warrant

Case #: 23WM001651

On July 24, 2023 at approximately 9:12 PM, the Wilmington Police Department arrested Michael G. Ghigliotti, age 27, of Wilmington VT on an outstanding arrest warrant for Failure to Appear for a charge of Unlawful Trespass. Ghigliotti was lodged at Southern State Correctional Facility and cited to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on July 25, 2023 at 8:30 AM to answer to the charge. 

Arrest: Criminal DLS

 Summary: Criminal DLS

Case #: 23WM001569

On July 22, 2023 at approximately 1:39 AM, a Wilmington Police Officer stopped a vehicle for operating with defective equipment- a broken headlight and no tail lights illuminated- on North Main Street (VT Route 100) in Wilmington. During the stop, the officer found that the operator had a criminally suspended driver's license. The operator, Chantal Chaine, age 28, of Marlboro VT was processed at the Wilmington Police Department and was released on a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on August 8, 2023 at 8:30 AM to answer to the charge. 

Arrest: Domestic Assault

 Summary: Domestic Assault

Case #: 23WM001459

On June 29, 2023 at approximately 9:39 PM, a Wilmington Police Officer responded to a local residence on Castle Hill Road for a report of a 911 hang-up. The officer arrived on scene and during the investigation, found evidence that a domestic assault had occurred. As a result, Linda Ann Kenefic, age 71, of Wilmington was arrested and cited to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on June 30, 2023 at 12:30 PM to answer to the charge.

Arrest: DUI

 SUMMARY: DUI

Case #: 23WM001569

On July 14, 2023 at approximately 10:32 PM, the Wilmington Police Department stopped a vehicle for failing to maintain its lane of travel on West Main Street (VT Route 9) in Wilmington. During the stop, the officer detected signs of impairment and screened the operator who was subsequently arrested for DUI. The operator, Richard James Suzor Jr., age 43, of Douglaston NY, was processed at the Wilmington Police Department and was released on a citation to appear in Vermont Superior Court - Windham Criminal Division on August 1, 2023 at 8:30 AM to answer to the charge.