Shaftsbury State Police Seek Fugitive Wanted for Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child

SHAFTSBURY, Vt. — The Vermont State Police are seeking a fugitive wanted on charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, according to a brief public notification issued by the agency’s Shaftsbury Barracks on Friday, September 25, 2026. The announcement, which was published late Friday evening, has raised immediate questions in the Southern Vermont community due to the serious nature of the allegations and the limited details initially provided by law enforcement.

State Police Issue Fugitive Alert

According to the official release from the Vermont State Police, the Shaftsbury Barracks is handling the case, which has been classified under the category of a fugitive wanted for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. The state police did not immediately release a detailed narrative of the allegations, nor did they provide a timeline of when the alleged offenses occurred or when the suspect was officially designated as a fugitive.

The Shaftsbury Barracks, located in Bennington County, serves as the primary state police outpost for a large portion of Southern Vermont. The barracks’ jurisdiction covers several local towns, including Shaftsbury, Bennington, Woodford, Arlington, and other surrounding municipalities. Because of this wide geographic footprint, the notification of a fugitive wanted on such severe charges is of significant interest to residents throughout the region.

Significant Details Remain Unconfirmed

At this stage of the investigation, the Vermont State Police have not made several key pieces of information public. Local residents and community members should be aware of what has not yet been confirmed by authorities:

• Suspect Identity: The name, age, and gender of the fugitive have not been released by the Vermont State Police.
• Physical Description: No photograph, mugshot, or physical description—such as height, weight, hair color, eye color, or identifying marks—has been provided to the public.
• Last Known Location: The state police have not disclosed where the suspect was last seen, what type of vehicle they might be operating, or whether they are believed to still be in the immediate Bennington County area.
• Specific Charges: While the case is labeled as “lewd and lascivious with a child,” the specific legal charges, the number of counts, and the status of any active warrants have not been detailed in the initial public statement.
• Victim Information: In accordance with standard privacy laws and victim protection protocols, no information regarding the identity, age, or location of the child involved has been released.

The lack of identifying information is common in the early stages of certain sensitive investigations, particularly those involving minors, or when law enforcement is actively coordinating search efforts. However, it also means that local residents do not currently have specific details to help them identify the individual in question.

Local Impact and Safety in Southern Vermont

For communities in Southern Vermont, the announcement of an active fugitive case involving crimes against a child is a matter of serious public safety. Local law enforcement agencies often rely on community vigilance to help locate individuals who are evading justice. In cases where a suspect is classified as a fugitive, the Vermont State Police typically encourage the public to remain observant but caution against taking any direct action to apprehend the individual.

The Shaftsbury Barracks is responsible for patrolling and investigating crimes across a diverse landscape that includes residential neighborhoods, rural backroads, and vast forested areas near the Green Mountain National Forest. This geography can present unique challenges for law enforcement when tracking individuals who do not wish to be found.

How to Provide Information to Police

Although specific details about the fugitive have not been publicized, the Vermont State Police routinely ask anyone with potential information regarding wanted individuals or suspicious activity in the Shaftsbury and Bennington areas to contact authorities. Information can be shared directly with the Shaftsbury Barracks.

Additionally, the Vermont State Police maintain systems for receiving anonymous tips from the public. Community members who may have heard information or who have knowledge of individuals wanted by law enforcement are encouraged to utilize these secure reporting methods. Further updates from the Vermont State Police regarding the identity of the fugitive or the circumstances of the search will be monitored closely as the investigation continues.

Source & disclaimer

This article is based on an official public statement from the named agency. It is not a complete police blotter or CAD log, and details may be incomplete pending further investigation or court proceedings.

Source: Vermont State Police — Original release.

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