The former police chief of the Brighton and Canaan police departments is accused of sexually assaulting an underage girl while on duty more than five years ago, according to Vermont State Police.
Jeffrey Noyes, 54, of Bloomfield, was issued a citation Monday afternoon on a charge of sexual assault, according to a state police news release.
The charge follows a yearlong investigation of the incident that was reported to police in February 2022, according to the release. A detective from outside the area was assigned to investigate, the release stated, with assistance from the Technology and Investigative Unit.
Noyes knew the alleged victim, according to state police, and had taken her on multiple ride-alongs in his cruiser.
According to the release, Noyes drove the victim, who was under the age of consent, to a remote area and sexually assaulted her. He was in uniform and on duty at that time, the release noted.
Additional information was not immediately available Monday, though more details are expected to be released when the police affidavit in support of the charge becomes public following his arraignment Feb. 21.
A working phone number for Noyes was not immediately available Monday evening.
Correction: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story used an incorrect photo.
Stay on top of all of Vermont's criminal justice news. Sign up here to get a weekly email with all of VTDigger's reporting on courts and crime.