Drugs played role in local shooting

Author: Polly Johnson

An investigation is underway and two arrests have been made regarding a shooting that occurred in East Middlebury on March 18 at 2:30 a.m. A Middlebury Police Department media release from April 8 revealed that two men were arrested on April 7 - David C. Manning, 30, of Ripton and Jake F. Desjadon, 18, of Ripton. Desjadon was charged with armed robbery and burglary, while Manning was charged as an accessory to armed robbery and burglary.

The incident occurred in the early morning of March 18 at a "bathhouse" located in East Middlebury at 331 East Main St. The altercation began when two men armed with weapons confronted six other men at the bathhouse.

Three people were confirmed injured - Jason Smith, 19, of Holyoke, Mass. and John Tucker, 33, of Middlebury, who was shot in the leg. Both Smith and Tucker were treated at Porter Medical Center. A third person, Alberton Clark, who lived in the bathhouse, was injured but declined treatment at Porter.

Officials from Porter Hospital informed the Middlebury Police Department of the incident the following morning. The investigation has been slowed by witnesses' reluctance to come forward, likely because the crime involves drugs and money.

In searching the bathhouse, the police found three weapons and evidence of drugs. Middlebury Police Chief Tom Hanley told The Middlebury Campus, "At this time, this is an ongoing investigation that is apparently related to drug sales, and other people could be arrested."

On Thursday, April 7, the Middlebury Police Department and officers from the Vermont State Police secured search warrants to search the Manning residence in Ripton, Vt., located on the Lincoln-Ripton Road. They seized a .22 caliber rifle, ammunition and clothing from the home.

Manning and Desjadon were taken into custody following the search and a third person, Peter Manning, 29, of Ripton, is being reviewed in connection to the case.

Bail was set at $50,000 for Desjadon and $40,000 for Manning.

Both men have pleaded innocent to the incident in Addison County District Court, and a status conference will be held on May 10 at the Addison County District Court.