2-18-12 Arrest for precription pill Trafficking

On Saturday February 18, 2012 Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants. According to Sheriff Donnie Smith the first search warrant executed was for two packages destined for an address in Lubec. The warrant was executed at the Sheriff’s Office. Found in the first search warrant was several hundred Alprazolam pills.

The second search warrant was executed at a residence located at 138 North Lubec Road in Lubec. Seized in the second warrant were more unlawfully possessed prescription pills, firearms and cash.

Washington County Deputies and Agents with the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service have been investigating the illegal importation of prescription drugs to Lubec for several months.

The several month long investigation culminated in the arrest of Ashley Bragg, 23 of Lubec who is charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Z Drugs Class C. Also arrested was William Feltner 28 of Lubec who is charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs Class C and Amanda Bragg 25 of Lubec. Amanda Bragg is charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule Z Drugs Class E.

Ashley Bragg, William Feltner and Amanda Bragg were all transported to the Washington County Jail in Machias.

Pending further investigation other arrests are possible. .

Assisting the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at the Lubec warrant was the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Maine State Police.

9-27-11 Burglary

On 9-27-11 at approximately 0620 hrs Deputies responded to a report of a burglary at the T.A King and Sons business in Jonesport. During the investigation deputies found physical evidence and while speaking to people in the community linked that evidence to Franklin Perry, D.O.B 12/29/1981. During the investigation of the burglary at T.A King and Sons deputies were told that the Moosabec Variety store and Stewarts Grocery had been broken into as well. The investigation yielded evidence linking the Perry to all three burglaries.

Of the items stolen there were (in all 3 burglaries) $700.00, alcohol,cigarettes, laptop computer,scratch off lottery tickets and small amount of hand tools.

Upon trying to locate Perry, Deputies were in Stewarts grocery giving the clerks and owners a physical description of Perry, when Perry walked in the store. The deputies brought Perry outside and interviewed him. Perry had some of the stolen property on his person. Perry admitted to the breaks and Sgt. Randy Perry and Deputy Brandon Parker were able to retrieve some of the stolen property.

Perry was arrested taken to the Washington County Jail and charged with the burglaries. He being held on $5,000.00 cash bail.

Maine Forest Service IMT Mobilized to Texas to Manage Large Wildfires

Abilene, Texas

Due to the extreme fire danger and record breaking drought in most of the Southwest, the Maine Forest Service Incident Management Team (IMT) has been mobilized to West Texas. The Maine IMT, under the command of Southern Region Forest Ranger Lt. Jeffrey Currier, is working with a US Forest Service NIMO (National Incident Management Organization) team that has also been managing wildfires in Texas for several weeks.

Both teams were requested by the Texas Forest Service to provide extended attack support for large wildfires and relieve the local firefighters, who have been overwhelmed with nearly 13,500 fires since February. So far in 2011, over 3.3 million acres have been burned and 2181 homes and structures lost due to wildfire.

Since the IMT arrived on June 30th, the hot / dry weather and isolated “dry” lightning storms have started dozens of small fires. Fortunately, these fires have not exceeded the capability of the local firefighters. The Maine IMT is using this time to update their mapping and communication capabilities, attend Texas Forest Service briefings and prepare for a short-notice mobilization within Texas. The team is poised to any contingency present by the Texas Forest Service.

Once the local officials request the team to take control of a large wildfire, the Maine IMT will use their experience and leadership skills to manage the incident. The political system in Texas is quite different from Maine. Working with the county judges and sheriffs, as well the fire chiefs and local volunteer firefighters can be very challenging. As a means to meet this challenge, the Maine IMT has recruited Washington County Sheriff Office’s Deputy Chief Michael St. Louis, who will function as the liaison officer. As a Liaison Officer, St. Louis will be responsible for interfacing with local county government, law enforcement and emergency management official to facilitate team operations. His experience in law enforcement and emergency response make him a significant asset to the IMT.


Nine members of the Maine IMT are currently in Texas helping manage large wildfires.

PRESS RELEASE

On Monday June 28, 2011, Maine Marine Patrol Sgt. Troy Dow and Officer Gordon Faulkingham received a tip from a concerned citizen. The tip was of possible drug dealing in Machiasport. The two Marine Patrol Officers checked the location detailed by the citizen and located Jon Wright 42, of Machiasport and another male. The Marine Patrol requested assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Washington Counnty Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Richard Rolfe responded to the location. Through the investigation, Jon Wright 42, Machiasport was arrested in connection with the incident. It was discovered that Wright was in possession of a quantity of Canadian Oxycontin and Methadone. Marijuana, scales and $4600 in cash was also seized at the scene. Wright was charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class B, Unlawful Poossession of OxyCodone, Class C and Trafficking in Prison Contraband, Class C. His bail was set at $1500 cash. His arraignment is scheduled for August 22, 2011 at the Superior Court located in Machias.
Assisting the Maine Marine Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was Maine Warden Service Warden Alan Curtis and his K-9 Cruiser.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Press Release 5-19-11

On Wednesday evening, May 18, 2011, Lt. Travis Willey and Deputy Brandon Parker of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a joint police operation in the Lubec area. As a result of the joint operation, Bracy Ashby, 45, of Lubec was arrested.

A bail check was completed and Ashby was found to be in possession of Hydrocodone. Ashby is being held at the Washington County Jail charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule Drugs (Class C) and Violation of Bail.

Lubec Home Invasion

On Wednesday evening, April 27, 2011, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a Lubec resident reporting a residential burglary and assault. The male victim required medical attention and was transported to the Down East Community Hospital where he was treated and released.

Through the investigation two male suspects were arrested in connection with this incident. James Fitzgerald, 40, or Ellsworth and Michael Blanch, 35, of Silver Springs, Florida were each charged with Class B Burglary. More charges are expected in connection with the incident.

The suspects were transported to the Washington County Jail and bail was set at $5,000 cash. Arraignments are set for June 27, 2011 in Machias Superior Court for both suspects.

Deputy Keith York of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is the investigating officer and he was assisted at the scene by Sheriff Donnie Smith, Sgt. Richard Rolfe, Deputy Ryan Allen and Down East EMS.

Sheriff Donnie Smith



PRESS RELEASE

OPERATION ROUND UP 2

On Thursday, April 22, 2011 the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and several other local law enforcement agencies conducted a joint operation in the western Washington County area.

Participating agencies from the Maine Forest Service, Maine State Police, Maine Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Milbridge Police and Probation/Parole conducted bail checks, probation checks, drug court checks along with warrants of arrest and general criminal information gathering.

Operation Round Up 2 was successful in charging several individuals who were booked into the Washington County Jail:

Nicholas Davis, 24, Harrington, Eluding/Attempting to Elude an Officer and Exceeding Posted Speed Limit by 30+ MPH, bail set at $750 cash; Jason Lisee, 36, Columbia Falls, Violation of Condition of Release, no bail; Larry Murphy, 37, Columbia, Warrant of Arrest, bail set at $480 cash; Kerry Nash, 50, Milbridge, Probation and Parole Charge, no bail allowed; Harry Newenham, 34, Steuben, Violation of Condition of Release, no bail allowed; Jamie Smith, 32, Addison, Violation of Condition of Release, no bail allowed.

The multi-agency operation continued to gather information into open investigations in numerous thefts, burglaries and other criminal conduct in the local area.

Anyone with information concerning criminal activities in Washington County are asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 255-4422.

Sheriff Donnie Smith







OPERATION ROUND UP 2