Trespassing suspect jailed, threatens Springfield police officers

A transient man who was allegedly squatting in a rustic cabin and made numerous threats to police officers and their families is back in jail just days after his release.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20100609/NEWS02/6090341

Published June 9, 2010 in the Rutland Herald

Trespassing suspect jailed after threats

By JOSH O'GORMAN STAFF WRITER

WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A transient man who was allegedly squatting in a rustic cabin and made numerous threats to police officers and their families is back in jail just days after his release.

On June 1, Ashley A. Griffin, 38, pleaded innocent in White River Junction District Court to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful trespass.

According to affidavits filed with the court, on May 30, police received a complaint from the caretaker of a 60-acre parcel near Hidden Valley Campground on Mattson Road in Chester that someone was squatting in an old camp on the property. When police arrived, they found a car parked near a trail leading into the woods, affidavits state. The car was filled with clothes, food and stereo equipment, and as police continued up the trail they found a pickup stuck in the mud next to what they described as a small camp or shed, records state.

Police looked at the door, which had a metal clasp that had been broken open, and knocked, police said. Griffin emerged from the cabin, completely naked, and told police both vehicles belonged to him and he was indeed squatting in the cabin, according to affidavits.

Griffin denied cutting the lock from the cabin, but from the outside, police could see a hammer, tire iron and bolt cutters in the cab of Griffin's pickup. Police arrested Griffin, and on June 1, he pleaded innocent to the trespass charge and was held on $500 bail.

Because of his hostile demeanor, police did not fully process Griffin, records state.

"Due to the fact that Ashley is combative, assaultive and has recently threatened to kill police officers and the fact that I was the only officer at the barracks at the time of processing, I did not fingerprint or photograph him," wrote Chester Police Officer William D. Frank of Griffin.

While being held in Springfield prison, Griffin also threatened to kill every Springfield police officer, kill their dogs and assault their wives, records state. Griffin is well known to Springfield police, who have arrested him 12 times since 1993.

On June 1, Judge Theresa S. DiMauro ordered Griffin to report to Chester police for photos and fingerprints within 48 hours of his arrest. He was released on bail the same day.

On June 3, records state, Griffin called state police, demanding they drop the charges against him, reimburse him for all expenses and make a formal apology. Police realized Griffin had never appeared for photos and fingerprints and arrested him for violating his conditions of release.

On Monday, Griffin pleaded innocent to violating his conditions of release. He is being held in Springfield prison on $5,000 bail with an additional condition he not call the police unless it's an emergency.