On or about 7-16-2009 at approximately 1300 hours Lt. Travis Willey and Sgt. Randy Perry were conducting a criminal investigation in the Columbia Falls area. The investigation involved a stolen outboard motor from the Jonesport area that was recovered last week at Mr. Vance Merritt’s residence in Columbia Falls. Lt. Willey and Sgt. Perry went to Mr. Merritt’s residence to interview him in reference to that matter.

Upon arriving at the Merritt residence the investigation progressed and turned from a stolen property investigation to a drug investigation. As a result of that investigation Mr. Merritt was placed in custody for Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule Drugs, class B. Special Agents from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and other Washington County Deputies then responded to the scene to assist. A drug search warrant was then obtained and executed on Mr. Merritt’s property.

As a result of the arrest and search warrant an undisclosed amount of Canadian Oxycontin, 16 firearms, and approximately $16,000 in cash monies were seized. Mr. Merritt cooperated with the investigation and is currently cooperating with other ongoing criminal investigations.

Mr. Vance Merritt (DOB 5-31-1937) currently lives on the Tibbettstown Road in Columbia Falls.

The street value of the drugs are about $2,400.00.

Mr. Merritt's bail was set at $50,000.00.

Also in unrelated case Raymond Brown Jr. D.O. B 02/18/1973, of Wilson Beach Campobello Island NB.,was arrested by the Washington County Drug Task Force/ Maine Drug Enforcement Agency and charged with , Acquiring Drugs By Deception.

Mr. Browns bail was set at $1,000.00

Both at be held at the Washington County Jail.

Theft by Unauthorized Taking

Teresa Huntley date of Birth, 04/09/1963 of 1493 County Road, Lubec was arrested June 8th 2009 for (Theft by Unauthorized Taking) a Class (B) Felony, by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Mrs. Huntley allegedly stole at least $30,000.00 from her employer Archibald's One Stop in East Machias.

Mrs. Huntley was released on bail from the Washington County Jail on Tuesday June 9th 2009.

This incident is under further investigation by the Washington County Sheriff's Office.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Underage Drinking Arrests

The Sheriff’s Office conducted a Juvenile Drinking Enforcement Detail late in the evening and early in the morning of 5-2 and 5-3-2009. This detail consisted of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police. 3 Criminal Arrests were made and 10 minors were summonsed for possession of alcohol.

Basically on or about 4-28 the Sheriff’s Office received information from the Maine Forest Service of a scheduled event to be held on 5-2 at the Rocky Lake Campsite in East Machias. The information about this event suggested that there will be a large amount of underage drinking present. The function was linked back to Social Groups at the University of Maine at Machias and the event known as Greek Weekend. Information suggested that the College Fraternity was organizing the event. The Maine Forest Service attempted to educate the organization on fire danger and environmental impact of the event, among other legal ramifications. After these efforts were made the event’s location was moved to an unknown location.

A detail was organized between members of the Sheriff’s Office and the Maine State Police and the event was traced to Love Lake in Crawford. The enforcement detail then identified the issues of substance abuse by minors to be present and proceeded with enforcement.

The owner of the property was identified as Mr. Jay R. Beaudoin (DOB 1-31-1964) of Pembroke Maine. He was placed under arrest for Furnishing a Place for Minors to Possess or Consume Liquor. Mr. Michael F. Hinerman (DOB 2-28-1986) of Machiasport and Mr. Royce M. Bedbury (DOB 8-15-1987) were both placed under arrest for Furnishing the Liquor to Minors.

Of the 13 Minors that were identified and processed at the event, 10 minors were charged with Possession of Liquor and released. 3 kegs of beer and drinking paraphernalia were also seized. The event was then shut down and all persons were asked to leave the property by the landowner.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Washington County Sheriff's Office

Whiting Arrest Smith & Bermudez

The Washington County Sheriff's Office made two drug arrests in Whiting. last night,04.23,09. A vehicle stop on Route 189 in Whiting for speeding. 2 Occupants, Laura Bermudez (also Fitzsimmons) DOB 6-2-1972 driver and Melissa Smith DOB 12-4-1979.

(Bermudez) was arrested for Operating after license suspension and under the influence of alcohol .

Search of vehicle recovered an amount of processed marijuana that supports a furnishing charge, numerous items of paraphernalia, hypodermics that were "loaded" with drugs ready to inject, paraphernalia with testable amounts of felony level drugs, $803.00 in cash, and the vehicle. Cash and vehicle are being seized.

Bermudez charged with following:

1- Unlawful Possession of Schedule Drugs class C

2- Unlawful Furnishing of Marijuana class D

3- Operating Under the Influence 2^nd Offense, refusal class D

4- Operating After Suspension or Revocation class E

Smith charged with following:

1- Unlawful Possession of Schedule Drugs class C

2- Unlawful Furnishing of Marijuana class D

The Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Let me know if you have questions, I may be out later if the bail thing works out.

Thanks,

Lt. Willey

Route 9 Crawford 4-17-09 Drugs

The Washington County Sheriff's Office along with Agent's from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested Gerald Perry, D.O. B. 07/30/60 from Baileyville and Melissa Cox, D.O. B. 4/14/75 also from Baileyville.

They were arrested Friday night 04/17/09 at approximately 11:30 PM on Route 9 Crawford.

Perry was charged with Unlawful Trafficking of Schedule Drugs.

Cox was charged with Aggravated Trafficking of Schedule Drugs.

Both are being held at the Washington County Jail on $25,000.00 cash bail.

Seized were 42.5 Grams of Cocaine.

28 Methadone pills.

7 Percocet

12 Hydrocodone.

11 Zanax

$ 926.00 cash

1992 Mercury Sable

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Washington County Sheriff’s Office:

Taking Action Against Underage Drinking

April is Alcohol Awareness month in Maine and across the nation. As part of a state wide campaign, Washington County: One Community in partnership with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office has begun a county wide effort to raise awareness about the issue of underage and high risk drinking through active party patrols and a media advocacy initiative.

With access to funding awarded to Washington County: One Community to reduce underage drinking, the Washington County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating, enforcing and prosecuting violators of Maine's underage drinking laws. Breaking these laws can result in criminal offenses, fines of up to $2,000, jail time up to 12 months, and loss of license. “There is a role for everyone.” advised Sheriff Donnie Smith “Our role is to ensure that providing alcohol or a place for a minor to consume alcohol, regardless if the minor is a relative or not, will not be tolerated in our county.” The Washington County Sheriff's Office has been actively patrolling “hot” spots that have been known for underage drinking parties, such as gravel pits, camps and homes. “I am very excited about this opportunity.” states Sheriff Smith. “We have discussed ways in which we can address the underage drinking problem in our county but have not had the extra means to increase enforcement until now. In addition to the active party patrols, we are also offering a Tip line to help encourage community members throughout the county to take a stand against underage drinking.”

In 2008, middle and high school students in Washington County took part in the Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS). The survey results suggest that Washington County teens are strongly influenced by community and family attitude about underage drinking:

• Washington County high school students are more than twice as likely to have had alcohol if they believe adults in their community think it is okay. Of the students who believe adults in their community think underage drinking is acceptable, 52% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. On the other hand, the students who believe adults in their community think underage drinking is wrong, only 22% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days.

• Washington County high school students are more than three times as likely to have had alcohol if they believe their parents think it is okay. Of the students who believe their parents think underage drinking is acceptable, 80% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days. But of the students who believe their parents think underage drinking is wrong, only 27% reported drinking alcohol in the last 30 days.

“Parents and community role modeling are undoubtedly making an impact on the youth in Washington County when it comes to underage drinking. And for those students who do decide to drink, they don’t realize how susceptible they are to risky behaviors and health problems that can have lasting affects,” adds Community Health Specialist for Washington County: One Community, Sara McConnell. Alcohol negatively effects teens in a number of ways. The brain is not fully matured until the mid-twenties and the use of alcohol can cause long-term damage to a teens brain. Alcohol impairs judgment and has been strongly linked to teenage depression, plays a significant role in suicide, there is a risk of alcohol poisoning, unintentional accidents and injuries, and unplanned sexual behavior. A teens health and well being are at risk each time they consume alcohol.

For more information on warning signs, Maine's underage drinking laws and penalties, resource guides and much more check out the Maine Office of Substance Abuse on the web at www.MaineParents.net. You can also contact Sara McConnell, Washington County: One Community, A Healthy Maine Partnership at 255-3741. If you would like to report incidences of underage drinking, the Washington County Sheriff's Office has implemented an anonymous Tip line, which can be reached at 1-800-432-7303 or 255-3128 ext. 37.

Washington County: One Community is established as a community-based coalition serving Washington County. Its purpose is to improve the quality of life for Washington County citizens – from infants to elders. The coalition has adopted shared visions that respect cultural and community differences encourage broad citizen engagement, and support public health, community development and a viable economic infrastructure.