Migrant Justice leader and stepdaughter in U.S. illegally, Border Patrol says

Published

6 months ago

June 15, 2025

Migrant Justice leader and stepdaughter in U.S. illegally, Border Patrol says

RICHFORD, Vt. (WCAX) – Migrant Justice leader Jose Ignacio De La Cruz and his stepdaughter Heidy Perez remain in custody after Border Patrol detained them Saturday.

Border Patrol said in a statement to WCAX that De La Cruz and Perez are both citizens of Mexico, and have no legal immigration status in the United States.

They said agents pulled over 29-year-old De La Cruz, and 18-year-old Perez for suspicious border activity near the United States/Canada border in Richford.

Agents say the two refused to answer the agents’ questions and would not roll down the car’s windows.

In the process, agents said they were forced to break the window, taking De La Cruz and Perez into custody.

CBP said they later discovered both individuals were citizens of Mexico, and have no legal immigration status in the United States. Both remain in custody pending removal proceedings.

De La Cruz, also known as “Nacho” is part of Migrant Justice’s Coordinating Committee, and a former dairy worker.

Perez graduated from Milton High School not even a week ago.

Migrant Justice sent WCAX a statement, calling the arrest “an attack on Vermont’s immigrant community and a violation of their human rights.”

An emergency rally was organized for them outside the Richford Border Patrol barracks on Saturday.

Attorneys have filed an emergency petition with Vermont Federal District Court for “Nacho”, and will soon do the same for Perez in the Northern District of New York.

Another rally to free De La Cruz and Perez is scheduled for Monday evening at 6:30 on the Vermont State House lawn.

“Nacho” is being held at Northwest State Correctional Facility in Swanton, and Perez at the Clinton County jail in Plattsburgh.

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Vermont man allegedly touched child in a sexual manner

Published

11 hours 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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Power outages reported in Vermont Friday

Published

23 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 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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