Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer is facing a new round of sexual-misconduct charges after Vermont State Police say more women came forward during an already active investigation. Palmer, 39, was first arrested in late January and has pleaded not guilty. He is scheduled to return to court in May to answer the expanded set of allegations.
New affidavit adds prostitution and lewd-conduct counts
State police filed a new affidavit this week that layers on additional charges, including solicitation of prostitution and lewd and lascivious conduct. Investigators allege Palmer paid a woman multiple times to participate in sex acts and sent unsolicited sexual material to another woman, according to Vermont Public. Troopers say the inquiry is still active as they work to back up the fresh accounts and track down any other potential witnesses.
Financial review of sheriff’s office opened the door
According to investigators, the case did not start as a sex-crimes probe at all. Vermont State Police say they launched an investigation in July 2025 after anonymous tips flagged possible financial mismanagement inside the Windsor County Sheriff’s Office, a review that eventually surfaced the sexual-misconduct allegations, VTDigger reports. Palmer was arrested on Jan. 27 and initially charged with counts that included lewd and lascivious conduct, solicitation of prostitution and aggravated stalking, and he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
Bennington prosecutors take over growing case
Vermont State Police say they have now turned the latest affidavit over to prosecutors, and the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s Office is handling the case to sidestep any conflict of interest. Palmer is expected to be arraigned on the newly filed counts at his next scheduled court appearance on May 14, according to NBC Boston. Court records indicate prosecutors plan to fold the new allegations into the existing criminal case as both sides continue to trade evidence.
Badge suspended as local officials push for exit
A state oversight body temporarily suspended Palmer’s law-enforcement credentials in February, effectively sidelining him from patrol work even as he remains the elected sheriff. Local officials have publicly urged him to resign, WCAX reports. Palmer has handed off day-to-day command of the department to a subordinate, but he has not given up the office itself.
Court filings outline women’s accounts
Court documents and local coverage describe one woman saying she received cash and digital payments to watch Palmer perform sex acts and later felt stalked after she cut off contact, while other women reported unsolicited payments or messages, according to Seven Days. Prosecutors point to digital messages, financial transfers and video evidence referenced in the filings. Palmer’s attorney maintains that the interactions were consensual and private.
Investigation still open as May hearing approaches
Vermont State Police say the criminal investigation is very much ongoing and have asked anyone with relevant information to call 802-334-8881 or submit an anonymous tip online. The Bennington County State’s Attorney is coordinating the growing pile of discovery as the case widens, Vermont Public notes. Lawyers on both sides are expected to sort through outstanding evidence ahead of the mid-May arraignment on the latest charges.
Criminal charges collide with Vermont’s rules for sheriffs
The case is also putting a spotlight on how hard it is to remove an elected sheriff in Vermont. Sheriffs are county officers who can stay in their jobs while facing criminal charges and can only be ousted by the Legislature through impeachment, a step lawmakers rarely take and that officials have not yet moved to pursue, according to VTDigger. As the prosecution rolls forward, state regulators and legislators are likely to face mounting pressure to say whether anything more than a temporary certification suspension is on the table.
