St Johnsbury Man Accused of Assault and Violating Release Conditions Back in Jail

In St. Johnsbury, a man with a history of violent offenses is behind bars once again after allegedly violating court orders and assaulting a woman. Forty-six-year-old Stephen Turcotte appeared via video in Caledonia Superior Court Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to domestic assault and three violations of his release conditions. Turcotte was ordered to stay at a sober living facility in Bangor, Maine, but Vermont State Police found him Sunday at a Spaulding Road residence in St. Johnsbury following reports of a domestic disturbance. Turcotte allegedly assaulted a woman at that location and violated conditions prohibiting him from possessing weapons and using drugs. The court was told that knives were present at both this scene and an earlier 2024 incident at the Fairbanks Museum, where Turcotte allegedly stole tools and attacked a worker with a blade. Judge Michael Kainen set bail at $5,000—more than double what the prosecution had requested—and emphasized the seriousness of the charges. If released, Turcotte will face strict conditions, including a total ban on all weapons—even kitchen knives.