FORMER ENOSBURG SCHOOL EMPLOYEE ARRESTED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT ON SCHOOL GROUNDS
Law Enforcement arrested a former Enosburg school employee for two counts of sexual assault, one count of aggravated sexual assault, and one count of unlawful restraint.
Paul Ladd, 32, of Alburgh had been employed by the Enosburg school system for most of the past decade before being hired by the Missisquoi Valley School District last year. According to court documents, the victim in the case used to be a student of Ladd’s while at Enosburg High School.
According to police, Ladd sexually assaulted the adult female on school grounds during the summer of 2019. At the time, Ladd was still employed at Enosburg when the incident occurred, according to police. He was a track and soccer coach while at Enosburg.
Ladd’s step-father, Jay Nichols, was the superintendent of school for Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union when Ladd was hired for the position in Enosburg. He is now the Executive Director of the Vermont Principals’ Association.
Ladd was picked up today by police at his teaching position within the Missisquoi Valley School District, according to law enforcement. He was transported to Franklin County Criminal Court in St. Albans where he was arraigned on the four charges. If convicted, he could face life in prison and would be required to file as a sex offender.
Detective Mark Laurier said police were looking to make contact with Ladd for some time through other means but were unable to do so- ultimately resorting to picking him up at his place of employment.
Ladd entered a not guilty plea to all four counts. He was ordered to be held without bail and was transported to Northwest Correctional Center in St. Albans Town.
According to one of the investigators in the case, assigned to the Northwest Unit for Special Investigations, police are not aware of any other victims of Ladd, though more could come forward. Any potential victims or witnesses are asked to reach out to Detective Mark Laurier of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department or call their local law enforcement agency.
The County Courier reached out to the current Superintendent of Franklin Northeast Supervisory Union, Lynn Cota, who issued a written statement in response to comment on the Ladd’s arrest, “When we became aware that a former employee was accused of sexual assault, we immediately noticed DCF, law enforcement, and the Agency of Education. The District was not aware of the alleged misconduct before the recent report.”
“We do not tolerate sexual misconduct from our employees. We are committed to a safe and respectful working and learning environment,” she added.
Superintendent of Schools at Missisquoi Valley School District, Julie Regimbal, where Ladd was most currently employed as a Special Education Teacher, said the district was unaware of any allegations prior to Ladd’s hiring, and the district goes through an extensive background check on all employees to ensure that this type of person, if the allegations are true, are not hired within their school system.
Regimbal said that the district has put Ladd on administrative leave, and regardless of the outcome of the criminal investigation, the school would not allow Ladd back on school grounds until after their own lengthy investigation could be completed.
“There are no allegations of wrongdoing while an employee here,” Regimbal said in an interview with the County Courier.
Regimbal said she was not aware of any allegations or a police investigation until police contacted her office today to determine the whereabouts of Ladd.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
