South Royalton man convicted of stalking and using racist slurs against police

SOUTH ROYALTON — Matthew David Bashaw, a resident of South Royalton, has been convicted of several misdemeanor charges, including stalking, recklessness, criminal threatening, giving false information to law enforcement, unlawful mischief, and aggravated disorderly conduct with a hate crime enhancement.

Bashaw was charged for pointing a gun at someone and using racist slurs against a Vermont State Police trooper, who is a person of color.

As per the plea agreement, Bashaw was sentenced to 30 days to three years in jail with credit for time served, and the state agreed to dismiss a felony count of aggravated assault, as well as misdemeanor counts of domestic assault, negligent operation, and disorderly conduct.

The charges against Bashaw stem from two separate incidents.

In one incident, he pointed a gun at someone and used racist slurs against a Vermont State Police trooper.

In another incident, he tried to mislead the investigation into a crash by reporting false information and damaged a police officer’s cruiser while using racial slurs against the trooper.

Bashaw’s attorney stated at the hearing that his client brandished the gun but did not point it at anyone.

Bashaw was ordered held without bail after his arraignment in late February and is currently housed at Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury.