VSP Bureau of Criminal Investigations/Perjury; animal cruelty involving a state trooper
STATE OF VERMONT
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY
VERMONT STATE POLICE
CAS #: 22H2000105
Cavalier: detective sergeant. Michael Notte
STATION: VSP Criminal Investigation Bureau
CONTACT NUMBER: 802-244-8727
DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: December 2021 and February 2022
LOCATION: Private residence in Springfield, Vermont
VIOLATION: Perjury, cruelty to animals
ACCUSED: Zachary Gauthier
AGE: 31
CITY, STATE OF RESIDENCE: Weathersfield, Vermont
SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
A former Vermont State Police trooper, Zachary Gauthier, 31, of Weathersfield, was cited Tuesday morning, April 19, 2022, on suspicion of animal cruelty and perjury. According to the probable cause affidavit, in December 2021, Gauthier punched his family’s dog and broke a joint in his hand in the process. While under oath at a February 24, 2022 hearing in unrelated proceedings involving a request for a reparations order against him, Gauthier later lied about how he suffered the hand injury. Investigators also determined that he lied under oath about the presence of alcohol in a vehicle he was driving that crashed on October 30, 2021.
Additionally, the Springfield Police Department cited Gauthier on Tuesday for violation of an abuse prevention order.
Following a Vermont State Police consultation with the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office, Gauthier was summoned to appear at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 before the Criminal Division of the Superior Court. from Vermont to White River Junction. This case was handled by a detective sergeant assigned to headquarters and in conjunction with the Washington County State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure that investigators were from outside the area where Gauthier was assigned.
Gauthier had been assigned as a detective at Westminster barracks. He was put on paid leave earlier this year and resigned last week.
Vermont State Police are unable to comment further on the case. The probable cause affidavit will be filed in court and made public following Gauthier’s indictment. Members of the media should call the court clerk’s office prior to the arraignment to confirm hearing details.
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