Former village trustee, school director, charged with stalking

A 39-year-old man from Bellows Falls, Colin James, has pleaded not guilty to stalking a local woman over a span of six months. James, who has previously served on the Bellows Falls village trustee and the Union High School board, was released under specific conditions following his arraignment in Brattleboro criminal court on Monday.

The woman, 53, reported that she was unfamiliar with James personally but recognized him. Since last fall, he had been approaching her at her apartment for various requests, including cigarettes and small amounts of money. Although she sometimes gave in to his requests, she made it clear that he was never allowed inside her home.

The situation escalated on Halloween night in 2024 when James showed up uninvited at her apartment, insisting on entry while appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Concerned for her safety, she reached out to him via social media, asking him to leave her alone, but she continued to feel threatened by his actions.

In a recent encounter at a local store, she described feeling harassed when James draped his arm around her and followed her outside. She was cautious about returning home immediately since he was aware of her residence, which contributed to her growing fear.

James faces charges of stalking, a misdemeanor that could result in a two-year prison sentence. Additionally, he has been charged with violating pre-existing conditions from a previous case, which prohibited him from consuming alcohol. He has also been cited for disorderly conduct due to multiple calls made to the Bellows Falls Police regarding an earlier citation.