Accused Vermont Firefighter Found Dead; Man Faced Sex-Crime Allegations

A volunteer firefighter placed on leave from his city dispatcher job was found dead Tuesday in Vermont, where he was arrested on sex- related charges last week, Vermont State Police said.

Frank Meyer, 39, appears to have committed suicide and was found around 3:30 p.m. on South Wardsboro Road in Newfane, Vt., according to Det. Sgt. John Hagen of Troop D Bureau of Criminal Investigation. An investigation is ongoing, and an autopsy by the chief medical examiner’s office in Burlington is set for today, Hagen said.

Meyer was arrested in Vermont Feb. 27, posted bail in court the next day when he was arraigned, and came back to West Haven soon after. It’s unclear when he went back to Vermont.

Meyer was a volunteer fire captain at the Spring Street Station and helped oversee the Explorers program, which allows city youth to get involved in and learn about fire service.

Word of his death spread across the city Tuesday night, with many expressing shock and sadness over the entire situation. Members of the Explorers program were also given the news.

The Center District Fire Department, which oversees the Spring Street station, and Police Department declined to comment Tuesday night.

Meyer and Brett Bartolotta, 42, a former West Haven volunteer firefighter who now lives in Vermont, were arrested last week by Vermont State Police on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child and slave trafficking. Both pleaded not guilty in court.

An arrest warrant for the men say they engaged in a lengthy sexual relationship with a minor in Vermont until February. The minor, who is now 25, told police that, beginning when he was 12, he was paid for participating in sex acts that eventually included being wrapped in cellophane, hung by ropes from the ceiling and bondage.

Meyer had worked since 1999 in West Haven’s 911 call center, handling police, fire and medical calls. Mayor John M. Picard said he hasn’t been notified of any improprieties committed by Meyer in West Haven.

Picard announced Monday that Meyer had been placed on paid administrative leave from his city dispatch job as of March 1. The Center District already had suspended Meyer from his volunteer role as a fire captain at the Spring Street station, and Ansonia Medical Rescue Services suspended Meyer from his city job as a part-time emergency medical technician.

Picard said in accordance with state law, Meyer could only be put on paid administrative leave from his dispatch job until a Loudermill hearing is held, and then changes can be made. The hearing was set for Friday.

Meyer also was on the board of directors for the West Haven Community House Association Inc. Executive Director Patty Stevens said Monday the nonprofit’s experience with Meyer was “positive and professional.”

Rutland Herald reporter Brent Curtis contributed to this report. smisur@nhregister.com/@NHRsusan on Twitter

Note: If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please visit www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or call 800/273-TALK.