NEWPORT — Following a jury trial last week, a man was found guilty of kidnapping and assaulting a confidential informant working with the Vermont Drug Task Force in Lowell.
David Vaz, 32, of Springfield, Mass., was found guilty of attempted aggravated assault, kidnapping, and unlawful restraint charges.
According to court records, the confidential informant told police in November of 2017 he was assaulted by several men, including Vaz.
Vaz is said to have kicked and punched him in the head.
At one point during the kidnapping, the informant had a knife held to his throat while he was tied up, cut on his cheek by a razor blade, hit over the head by a bottle, and burned by a heated-up fork.
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According to court records, the victim’s ex-girlfriend told his attackers that he was working with police, even taking photos of cell phone conversations with police and sending them to several of the suspects in the attack.
The victim eventually managed to escape and ran to the neighbor’s house and began to bang on the door.
Several of the suspects chased him around the house, but he got away and went to the police for help.
“I commend the jury for reaching a just verdict in this case,” Vermont State’s Attorney Jennifer Barrett said. “It sends the message that violence associated with drug dealing will not be tolerated in Orleans County.
Vax will be sentenced at a future date.
