WINDSOR — The Windsor County Sheriff is facing charges of sexual misconduct, according to Vermont State Police.
State Police arrested Sheriff Ryan Palmer, a 39-year-old Windsor resident, on Tuesday at the sheriff’s office in Woodstock and transported him to the Westminster Barracks for processing, according to a State Police news release.
He was released on conditions including a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. and is scheduled to be arraigned at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Rutland.
The charges he faces include: two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct; two counts of solicitation of prostitution; two counts of aggravated stalking with a weapon; two counts of obstruction of justice; two counts of inciting a felony; and two counts of accessory before the fact.
The charges against Palmer are the result of a “monthslong investigation” by State Police, which began with tips State Police received last July through the Vermont Tip Line, which alleged possible financial misconduct in the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office.
During the investigation, State Police received additional anonymous tips pertaining to the financial situation and also information about Palmer’s alleged sexual misconduct, which is alleged to have involved “several victims.”
Special counsel from the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted VSP with this investigation, which remains open and active.
Detectives ask those with information relevant to the investigation to call the Vermont State Police in Derby at 802-334-8881. Anonymous tips also may be submitted online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.