Man sentenced in attempted arson, bomb threat cases in Waterbury

August 17, 2024  |  By Eric Blaisdell  |  Times Argus Staff Writer

BARRE — A man has been placed on probation for trying to light a Molotov cocktail on fire at another man’s home and calling in a threat to the Zenbarn in Waterbury last fall, among other crimes. 

John T. Neville, 52, pleaded no contest Tuesday in Washington County criminal court in Barre to a felony count of attempted first-degree arson and misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment, criminal threatening, driving under the influence, simple assault and violating an abuse prevention order. Neville received a one-year deferred sentence on the arson conviction and was sentenced to 45 days to two years, with credit for 45 days served, on the other convictions. He was placed on probation for four years under the terms of the plea agreement and must complete 40 hours of community service as part of his sentence. 

The felony attempted-arson conviction is expected to be expunged from Neville’s record if he doesn’t violate his probation conditions at any point during the next year.

The state agreed to dismiss multiple other charges Neville had been facing, including felony counts of unlawful trespass into an occupied residence and unlawful mischief, per the plea agreement.

According to court records for the attempted arson conviction, Neville was seen on surveillance footage placing a Molotov cocktail on a man’s property in July 2023 in Waterbury and trying to light it. The victim reported he had been working with Neville on cannabis-related matters when the victim decided against selecting Neville for a head grower position at a local farm. Police said the victim reported Neville then started harassing the victim and would stand across the street from the victim’s property and shoot a gun into the air. 

Police said inside the device, which failed to ignite, they found what appeared to be posted signs from the victim’s property that Neville may have removed from the land.

The simple assault conviction stems from Neville confronting the victim during a separate incident and hitting the victim in the head with a beer bottle.

For the violation of an abuse prevention order, police said a member of Neville’s family called police in September to report he had broken into her home in Waterbury. Police said an abuse prevention order was in place at the time for the family member against Neville.

Police said surveillance footage at the home showed Neville was there. Police said Neville got into the home through a broken window. Neville also had been reportedly sending the family member text messages calling her names, which was another violation of the court order.

Neville agreed with the court in 2023 to move to his property in Maine while his cases in Vermont were pending. While in that state, police said he called the Zenbarn in Waterbury in October and made a bomb threat. This incident is the basis for the criminal-threatening conviction.

The business had just finished hosting a fundraiser for the Vermont Democratic Party and was still hosting a wedding rehearsal dinner when the threat was made, according to court records.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Neville’s attorney, Andrew Pappone, said Neville was pleading no contest to the charges rather than pleading guilty because Neville was “undergoing some pretty serious mental health disturbances” at the time of the incidents and doesn’t remember much of his actions.

The victim in the attempted arson and assault cases, appearing remotely, said he was not happy with the outcome in this matter. It was difficult to follow, but the victim said he was calling for an independent investigation into the case, to be handled by federal officials.

He said his family intends to pursue civil damages from Neville and would not be seeking restitution in the case.

Pappone read aloud a letter from Neville’s family member who had the abuse prevention order against him. The family member reported she and Neville have had many “ups and downs” throughout the years and this past year has been the most challenging they have faced.

She wrote Neville became unrecognizable to those who love and care about him. She wrote she believed he was having some sort of mental breakdown at the time, but he received medical attention while in Maine. The family member wrote Neville’s medications were adjusted, he worked on sobriety, and began healing from severe head injuries he received. She reported Neville has been released since December, and he’s now taking his health and healing seriously.

“He’s taking the steps to relearn how to care for himself,” she wrote, adding she believed he’s now stable and should remain so, as long as he’s staying on his medication and following treatment protocols.

Deputy State’s Attorney Zachery Weight said this resolution reflects the fact that Neville’s last criminal charges came nearly a year ago. Weight said in his office, they talked about how last summer was “the summer of John Neville” because of the charges he kept picking up.

The prosecutor said officials are relieved that he is now in a better place and more stable.

“We want him to be a contributing member of society, and to be there for his family,” Weight said.

He said the plea agreement is a reflection of the long and hard work Neville has done since the charges were filed. Weight said the hope is, that this plea agreement will help Neville continue on his path and will bring closure to the Waterbury community and the victims.

Pappone said he’s seen Neville’s change since the first time he was brought into court to how Neville is now sitting next to him. The defense attorney said Neville at his lowest is a completely different person than Neville at his best.

He said Neville was clearly struggling with quite a bit.

Pappone said this summer, Neville has been spending his time making amends to those who are important in his life. He noted Neville has since spoken with the owner of the Zenbarn and the pair hugged.

Neville declined to speak when given the opportunity.

Judge John Pacht said these are complicated cases. The judge said when mental health issues are so prominent, the hope is the cases can be resolved, but it doesn’t diminish the trauma felt by the victims.

He said it appeared the plea agreement tried to balance those interests.

The judge said it appeared this case was an example of the problematic results that can come from people trying to self-medicate when dealing with mental health issues.

Judge Pacht said time will tell whether Neville’s stability can be maintained, and it will take work on Neville’s part. The judge then accepted the agreement and imposed the sentence.

This story was originally published by the Times Argus on Aug. 14.