Former Vermont police chief arrested for sexual assault

The Vermont State Police say they have arrested a former police chief for felony sexual assault involving an underage victim from an incident that occurred in October 2017.

They say that Jeffrey Noyes, 54, of Bloomfield, Vermont — who was the former police chief of the Brighton and Canaan police departments — was on duty at the time of the incident.

The incident was reported in February 2022 to the Vermont State Police, who then opened an investigation.  

According to findings of the investigation, Noyes and the victim knew each other, and the victim accompanied him on multiple ride-alongs in his cruiser.

The police say that in October 2017, Noyes was in uniform and on duty when he drove with the victim to a remote area and had sexual contact with the victim, who was under the age of consent.

The police say that Noyes came to the Derby Barracks on Monday, where he was processed and released on a citation for sexual assault.

We’re told he is due to appear for arraignment on Feb. 21 at 8:30 a.m. in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in Guildhall.

Anyone who might have any information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Detective Trooper Michael Mattuchio at 802-524-5993, or leave an anonymous tip online at https://vsp.vermont.gov/tipsubmit.