Feds detain Morristown man who threatened police officer

The phone threats were directed at Morristown Det. Lt. Todd Baxter. Baxter came out of retirement last year to help Morristown Police part-time by conducting major criminal investigations. He retired from the Vermont State Police in November 2022 after more than 21 years, including serving a stint as a lieutenant with the Major Crime Squad.

Phelps initially denied state charges in Vermont Superior Court in Hyde Park for stalking and criminal threatening on March 11. He also pleaded not guilty to an unrelated simple assault charge stemming from a fight at the Morristown Beverage on Aug. 31, record show.

Phelps was released on conditions on March 15 from state court.

The FBI, working with local police officials, swore out a criminal complaint to detain Phelps on the federal gun charge, which provides stiffer bail conditions. He was picked up at the residence he shares with his grandfather and appeared briefly for his initial federal court hearing before Magistrate Judge Kevin J. Doyle on March 27.

Two days later, Doyle ordered Phelps held as a danger to the community, citing his past criminal history, the evidence in the gun case, a history of violence and use of weapons, lack of stable employment and his use of drugs and alcohol.

Doyle also noted Phelps has at least five previous cases of violating terms of probation imposed for state convictions.

Baxter obtained an anti-stalking order against Phelps ordering him to stay away from the officer, his home and work.

Law enforcement and Baxter became concerned when Phelps reportedly said he planned to go to the officer’s private residence in Lamoille County.

“I know exactly right where he lives and I’ll show up on his doorstep,” Phelps said to the emergency dispatcher, according to court records. “I don’t think he wants that ... tell Todd I’ll be showing up on his door step ’cause I know right where he lives.”

Stowe police conducted an independent investigation into the incident to avoid a conflict of interest. Stowe Det. Daniel Wierzbicki later obtained a search warrant for the Phelps residence, records show.

The loaded 30-30 rifle was found in an open safe in Phelps’ bedroom, according to court records.

Police also seized an assault-style rifle that turned out to be an airsoft rifle — a replica that shoots pellets or BBs, the FBI said. Two cellphones also were seized.

Phelps’ grandfather reported his grandson is a user of cocaine and crack, court records show. Three attempts to get Phelps into drug treatment have been unsuccessful his grandfather reported, court records note.

Between his initial appearance in federal court and his detention hearing, a federal grand jury found probable cause to file the gun charge. Phelps, who denied the charge in federal court on Friday, acknowledged he had been treated for narcotic addiction when he was younger.

Defense lawyer Chandler Matson asked for 60 days to investigate the case and to file pre-trial motions, including possible suppression of evidence. Doyle set a May 28 deadline.