ATHOL — On Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at approximately 8:46 p.m., Officer Cody Vitols of the Athol Police Department was dispatched to an apartment at 373 School Street following a report of an individual yelling and slamming doors.
(The account and quotations in this article were sourced from the printed Personnel Narrative of Officer Cody Vitols and do not reflect any political perspective or personal opinion of News Link Live, which is strictly a business entity.)
“The reporting party, another tenant, stated that the male who resides in the apartment is Joshua [last name redacted],” Officer Vitols said.
Officer Vitols said that he’s familiar with Joshua and his girlfriend, Jennifer Moulton, because of previous police interactions.
According to police, Jennifer M. Moulton, 35, is a resident of Athol, MA.
“On arrival, another tenant pointed officers towards apartment [# redacted] and advised officers that Joshua was out back,” Officer Vitols said. “As officers were walking around the side of the apartment, Jennifer came out from the apartment.”
Officer Vitols said Joshua told him that Moulton had been drinking “for several hours” before an argument broke out between them.
“Joshua stated it was a verbal argument and nothing physical occurred,” Officer Vitols said. “Joshua stated he was just trying to leave to stay at his parent’s house for the night. Joshua stated if it would not cause an issue, he would like to take the child with him.”
Officer Vitols then went back to speak with Moulton and Officer Zachary Duguay, who had also been dispatched to the scene.
“Jennifer stated she was very intoxicated. When asked, Jennifer stated she had consumed at least seven mixed drinks of whiskey and coke,” Officer Vitols said. “Jennifer stated the two have been ‘on the rocks’ for a while and were arguing.”
Moulton told Officer Vitols she grabbed Joshua by the shirt and pushed him onto the couch. She said he then pushed her away, leaving a scratch on her breast.
“Jennifer denied medical attention,” Officer Vitols said. “Jennifer stated multiple times that she was the primary aggressor.”
The officers then went back to speak with Joshua.
“Joshua confirmed that Jennifer grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him onto the couch,” Officer Vitols said.
Joshua stated he had to push Moulton off of him in order to get up.
“Joshua also stated that Jennifer had ‘clawed’ and scratched him,” Officer Vitols said. The officer added that he observed several small scratch marks on Joshua’s arms.
“Joshua also denied medical attention,” Officer Vitols said. “Joshua was advised that Jennifer would be placed under arrest for domestic assault and battery. Joshua stated he would remain at the residence with [their juvenile child].”
Officer Vitols advised Joshua of his abuse prevention order (209A) rights.
“Both Jennifer and Joshua stated [their juvenile child] was asleep through the entire altercation and did not witness anything,” Officer Vitols added. “Both parties were advised a 51A would be filed.” (A 51A form is a mandatory report that professionals in Massachusetts, who work with children, must file with the DCF when they suspect that a child is being abused, neglected, or both).
Officer Vitols then placed Moulton under arrested for domestic assault and battery. She was handcuffed, pat frisked for weapons, placed in the rear of a cruiser, and transported to the Athol Police Department for booking.
“Jennifer was transported, Mirandized, and booked without incident,” Officer Vitols said. Later adding, “Jennifer was searched by Orange Police Officer [Evangeline] Cakounes at the station. Bail was set by [Bail] Commissioner [Marianne] Kissane at personal recognizance. Jennifer denied a phone call and was secured in Cell 5.”
Jennifer Moulton was charged with the following:
- Assault & Battery on Family/Household Member “for grabbing Joshua by the shirt, pushing him onto the couch and scratching him,” Officer Vitols said.
Moulton was arraigned in Orange District Court on Aug. 29, 2025. Her next court date is a pretrial hearing scheduled for Oct. 17, 2025.
Disclaimer: If you are wondering why the incident in this story took place in August, that’s because I had to file FOIA request(s) to obtain the court documents. FOIAs are time-consuming.
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