MDEA

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the MDEA has been unable to account for approximately $2,480.00 of State money that has been missing since approximately January 2008.

This issue first came to the attention of the Washington County Sheriff's Office as a result of rumors. Initial inquires made to the MDEA to both Commander Darrell Crandall and Director Roy McKinney revealed very little information surrounded by a cloud of secrecy.

Washington County Sheriff's Office has been, and continues to be, committed to aggressive enforcement of illegal drug laws and ,in furtherance of that commitment, has routinely assigned deputies to the MDEA. Washington County Sheriff's Office, as well as several other law enforcement agencies, had officers assigned to the MDEA at the time the money went missing. It is imperative to identify and report what happened to the money so that officers who did nothing wrong can be cleared and, to hold accountable whoever is responsible.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has done a limited investigation which began with a request for documents, including investigative reports from the MDEA. The MDEA refused to provide any documents and which required the Washington County Sheriff's Office to file suit against the MDEA under Maine’s Freedom of Information Law. That law suit is currently pending in Penobscot County Superior Court.
Washington County Deputies who were assigned or are assigned to the MDEA have been interviewed. The Washington County Sheriff's Office does not have the ability to interview officers from other agencies who may have been assigned to MDEA at the time.

The results of our investigation, which is ongoing, has revealed the following:

•A Maine State check, in the amount of approximately $2500 was made payable to an agent with MDEA in January.
•The agent cashed the check.
•The agent has not accounted for $2,480.00 of the money.
•The agent did not report matter to MDEA for several months
•MDEA discovered the missing money during a routine audit.
•MDEA Director Roy McKinney did not do any investigation.
•MDEA Commander Darrell Crandall did not do any investigation.
•The Maine Attorney General’s Office did not do any investigation.
•MDEA did not interview any agents.
•Former Maine Public Safety Commissioner Anne Jordan did not require an investigation to be completed.
•No agents have been cleared.
•No agents have been accused.
•The agent, to whom the check was made payable, was told by Commander Crandall to repay the money without knowing if that agent was responsible.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office remains concerned that this kind of situation could happen within a law enforcement agency and even more concerned that the MDEA refused to investigate the matter and, rather, chose to cover it up.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigation is ongoing and will consider any information that may be released as a result of the Freedom of Information law suit. No date has been set for the Judge’s decision regarding MDEA’s refusal to release documents and information to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.


Sheriff Donnie Smith

Public Safety Announcement

The Washington County Sheriffs Office would like to remind snowplow drivers it is illegal to leave snow in roadway while plowing.

A fine of $165.00 may be imposed by the court for violation of this infraction.

Your attention in this matter will be appreciated.


Thank You

Sheriff Donnie Smith
Washington County Sheriff's Office