BARRE – A Granite City woman is accused of being a part of an incident where a Montpelier man allegedly robbed someone.
Ashley Dragotta, 31, pleaded not guilty Thursday in Washington County criminal court to a felony count of accessory after the fact and a misdemeanor count of possession of stolen property. If convicted, Dragotta faces a maximum sentence of eight years in prison. She was released on conditions.
In June, Christopher Paul Prevost, 35, pleaded not guilty to a felony count of aggravated assault with a weapon and a felony count of assault and robbery with a weapon as well as other crimes. He is being held without bail at Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury.
Cpl. Jonathan Houle, of the Barre City police, said in his affidavit an assault and robbery was reported on North Main Street June 19. Houle said the victim reported he had been “jumped” behind Allen Lumber. He said Prevost was accused of assaulting the man and had taken off on foot.
Houle said he spoke to the victim who reported he was in a Dragotta’s vehicle and they had called Prevost in an effort to get heroin from him. The victim told Houle Prevost arrived and they were discussing the drug deal when Prevost asked the victim for $20. He said he told Prevost he had just gotten paid and when he pulled out $400 Prevost pulled out a blue box cutter and told the victim to give him the money, according to court records.
Houle said the victim told him he took off running and Prevost caught up to him. The victim told Houle he was able to get the box cutter away from Prevost, but Prevost punched him in the ear and they began to wrestle. Houle said the victim reported Prevost shoved him down a bank and he blacked out. He told Houle he woke up and got his backpack and noticed his tablet computer and his money were missing.
Houle said he spoke with Dragotta who told him she was with the victim and a man named Chris, but she didn’t know Chris’ last name. She told Houle she was giving the victim and Prevost a ride when the victim jumped out of the vehicle and Prevost chased after him. Dragotta told Houle the victim and Prevost got into a fight and then she gave Prevost a ride to Montpelier.
Houle said Dragotta denied using drugs or buying heroin.
Houle said the victim contacted him in July to report Dragotta had admitted to him that she had sold his tablet computer that had been stolen from him. The victim told Houle the tablet had been sold at Gold & Silver Thrift on South Main Street.
Houle said he contacted the owner of the store who confirmed he had bought the tablet from Dragotta and sent a photo of the check he had made out to her. Houle said the tablet sold to the store had the same serial number as the one stolen from the victim.
eric.blaisdell @timesargus.com
