Vermont

Chinese woman tried to smuggle turtles into Quebec: U.S. Border Patrol

Published

1 year ago

July 1, 2024

A woman from China has been arrested at a Vermont lake bordering Quebec for trying to smuggle 29 eastern box turtles, a protected species, into Canada by kayak, according to U.S. Border Patrol agents.

Wan Yee Ng was arrested on the morning of June 28 at an Airbnb in Canaan as she was about to get into an inflatable kayak with a duffle bag on Lake Wallace, about 50 kilometres southeast of Sherbrooke, according to an agent’s affidavit filed in federal court. U.S. agents had been notified by Royal Canadian Mounted Police that two other people, including a man who was believed to be her husband, had started to paddle an inflatable watercraft from the Canadian side of the lake toward the United States, according to an agent’s affidavit.

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The agents searched her heavy duffle bag and found 29 live eastern box turtles individually wrapped in socks, the affidavit states. Eastern box turtles are known to be sold on the Chinese black market for $1,000 each, according to the affidavit.

Ng is charged with attempting to export the turtles from the U.S., in violation of the Endangered Species Act. A federal judge on Friday ordered that she remain detained. The federal public defender’s office, which is representing her, declined to comment.

Border Patrol agents first spotted Ng at the Airbnb rental in May when they noticed a vehicle with Ontario plates traveling on a Vermont road in Canaan in an area used by smugglers, they said. Lake Wallace has been used for human and narcotic smuggling, the affidavit states. The vehicle had entered the U.S. in Alburgh, Vermont, near Lake Champlain, agents said.

Ng was admitted to the United States in May on a visitor visa with an intended destination of Fort Lee, N.J., the affidavit states. Border Patrol agents learned on June 18 that she had again entered the U.S. in Buffalo in a vehicle with a Quebec plate and was expected to arrive at the same Airbnb on Lake Wallace in Vermont on June 25, the affidavit states. They then started to surveil the property.

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Vermont

Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner

Published

52 minutes ago

December 20, 2025

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Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner

GREENWICH, N.Y. (WNYT) – A Vermont man is accused of forcibly touching a child in a sexual manner.

Michael J. Lohnes, 42, of Rutland, was charged with misdemeanor counts of forcible touching and endangering the welfare of a child, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office said.

The alleged incident happened back in the spring, and Lohnes knew the victim, according to investigators.

He was arraigned in Greenwich Town Court earlier this fall and the case is still pending.

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Vermont

Power outages reported in Vermont Friday

Published

13 hours ago

December 19, 2025

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Power outages reported in Vermont Friday

BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) – Weather conditions this morning have left many without power across Vermont.

Data indicates that over 10,000 customers are impacted by outages as of 11:16 a.m. The most impacted areas include Middlebury, Burke and Cambridge.

To stay up-to-date on local outages, check out the VT Outages page, Green Mountain Power and follow us for more details on myChamplainValley.com.

A significant outage was previously reported about earlier this month. For more coverage on that, check out this video:

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Vermont

Vermont offers criminal record clearing clinic to seal or expunge old cases

Published

1 day ago

December 18, 2025

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Vermont offers criminal record clearing clinic to seal or expunge old cases

VERMONT (WRGB) — Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark will host a free criminal record clearing clinic on Thursday, January 15, 2025 in Brattleboro, the first to be held in the state since new expungement laws changed in July.

Sealing a record allows an individual to wipe from their criminal record specific convictions and dismissed charges after a certain period of time has passed, including records relating to contact with the criminal justice system, like arrest or citation, arraignment, plea or conviction, and sentencing. Under Vermont’s updated law, most misdemeanors, various non-violent felony offenses, and all dismissed charges can be sealed. The free clinic will focus on sealing criminal charges and convictions from Windham County, and will be open to the public by appointment only.

“For many years, my office has assisted Vermonters with clearing old criminal records that are holding them back from securing stable housing, getting better jobs, and participating fully in their communities,” said Attorney General Clark. “These clinics are a way for us to help Vermonters who have paid their debt to society and stayed out of trouble get a fresh start and strengthen the community as a whole. I want to thank Windham County State’s Attorney Steve Brown, Interaction, and the Brooks Memorial Library for their assistance in hosting this clinic.”

Attorneys from the Attorney General’s Office will offer free assistance with petitions for Vermont-specific “qualifying” criminal convictions and dismissed charges. Appointments will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vermonters must schedule appointments in advance by calling the Attorney General’s Office at 802-828-3171 or emailing AGO.Info@vermont.gov by Tuesday, January 6, 2026. Eligible participants will be given an in-person appointment at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, Vermont, on the day of the clinic.

More information on sealing and expungements generally is available at Vermont Legal Aid’s website at www.vtlawhelp.org/expungement.

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