A former Saco Middle School principal has been charged in Vermont with lewd and lascivious conduct with a child.

Richard “Rick” Talbot, 68, was issued a citation to appear in court on the single charge following an investigation by the Orange County Special Investigations Unit, according to a press release from Detective Sgt. Scott Clouatre. The investigation began on Feb. 24 after police learned of the allegation of lewd conduct.

Talbot was most recently principal of Tunbridge Central School, but was fired following a unanimous March 2 school board vote related to “an extremely difficult personnel matter,” according to Vermont’s Valley News.

Before moving to Vermont, Talbot was principal of Saco Middle School from 2003 to 2012. He previous worked at schools in York, Kittery, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Talbot, who lives in South Berwick and South Royalton, Vermont, is expected to appear in Orange County Superior Court on May 13. Talbot could not immediately be reached for comment.

Clouatre said police are not able to provide additional information about the investigation or charge against Talbot. Vermont State Police assisted in the investigation.


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