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
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Friday, February 11, 2011
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
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
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Reference: Lubec Home Invasion Additional Information that took place on 09/23/10.
Today, 09/24/10, Sheriff's Deputies arrested Walter Conlin, 38 of Lubec for Class A Robbery and Class A. Kidnapping.
Bail for Conlin was set at $100,000.00.
Also arrested was Jessica Ramsdell 36 of Lubec for Hindering Apprehension and Prosecution. Class B.
Bail for Ramsdell was set at $50,000.00
Both are being held at the Washington County Jail.
Deputies were assisted by Marine Patrol Officer Russell Wright.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Dylan Lord / Home Burglary Arrest
At approximately 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2010 the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a home invasion in the Lubec area. After extensive investigation Dylan Lord, 25, of Lubec was arrested and charged with Class A Robbery, Class A burglary and Class A, B & C thefts in association with this complaint. Lord is being held at the Washington County Jail in Machias and bail has been set at $100,000 cash.
The victim reported that two males entered his residence they tied him up and held him at gunpoint. During this time he was beaten by the two suspects. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of US currency and medications belonging to the victim. The victim was transported by Downeast Emergency Medical Services to the Down East Community Hospital in Machias where he is being treated for multiple serious injuries.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Maine State Police, Main Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol and Downeast Emergency Medical Services. Investigation is continuing and further arrests are expected. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim reported that two males entered his residence they tied him up and held him at gunpoint. During this time he was beaten by the two suspects. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of US currency and medications belonging to the victim. The victim was transported by Downeast Emergency Medical Services to the Down East Community Hospital in Machias where he is being treated for multiple serious injuries.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Maine State Police, Main Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol and Downeast Emergency Medical Services. Investigation is continuing and further arrests are expected. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Moody Arrest
Date of Incident: September 8, 2010
Type of Incident: Search Warrant Location: 66 Duck Cove Road, Roque Bluffs
Agencies involved: Washington County Sheriff’s Office, State Police and MDEA
Names, DOBs, hometowns and offenses of suspects charged, as well as where they were taken and what their bails were set at (if aggravated, why?): Shaun Moody 04/28/1983 Roque Bluffs, arrested for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Drugs (C) (Firearm aggravating factor) Taken to the Washington County Jail bail was set @ 750.00 unsecured
Court dates and locations: December 27, 2010 Machias Superior Court
Quantities and value of drugs seized: 30 Marijuana plants, 321 grams of processed marijuana
Other significant evidence seized, i.e. guns, money, etc: 1 rifle and $12,788.00 in U.S. Currency
Brief summary of case & enforcement action:
Washington County Sheriff’s office and the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency were working a joint investigation into the alleged Drug Trafficking activities of Shaun Moody of Roque Bluffs. Through the investigation a search warrant was obtained for the residence located @ 66 Duck Cove Road in Roque Bluffs. Deupties, Agents and Troopers executed the warrant and as a result the following items were seized 30 marijuana plants, 8 of which were in an indoor growing operation, 321 grams of processed marijuana and $12,788.00 in cash. Moody was arrested for aggravated trafficking and taken to the Washington County Jail. The matter remains under investigation.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Harrington Fatality
On 9-2-2010 at 2229 hours there was a single vehicle accident on Route 1 in Harrington near the intersection of East Main Street and Route 1. The driver of the vehicle, Tyler Turcotte age 17 of Jonesport, was pronounced dead at the scene by responding medical personnel. The vehicle, a 2006 Chevy Monte Carlo was totaled in the crash. Turcotte was not wearing his seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.
Sgt. Tim Tabbutt was assisted at the scene by Milbridge Police Department, Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington and Cherryfield Fire Departments along with the Pleasant River and Milbridge Ambulance.
Sgt. Tim Tabbutt was assisted at the scene by Milbridge Police Department, Addison, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Harrington and Cherryfield Fire Departments along with the Pleasant River and Milbridge Ambulance.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Landeen Arrested
On 08/30/2010 at or about 1847 hrs the Washington County Sheriffs Office received a report of a female subject intoxicated and firing a handgun in her residence on the Hadley Lake Road in East Machias. The reporting parties stated that she also made threats that she was going to kill everyone.
The Sheriff’s Office was first on scene and soon was assisted by the Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service and Machias Police. The female subject was believed to be barricaded in her home with several weapons. Several neighbors were evacuated from their homes for their safety. Several calls were made to the residence by the Washington County Communication Center and the dispatcher on duty spoke with her but she hung up the phone and disabled it. .
A member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office started a dialog with the female subject by public address for several minutes at which time she decided to surrender without incident. The suspect was identified as Louisa Landeen 41 of East Machias, who was extremely intoxicated. K9 handler Warden Alan Curtis and his partner (Cruizer) who is specifically trained in locating gun powder residue/gun recently fired was used on scene and the gun on scene was recovered. Evidence was recovered at the scene by Deputy Dennis Dorsey who is a member of the evidence response team (ERT). Landeen was arrested for reckless conduct and is cooperating with authorities. Landeen was transported to the Washington County Jail without incident and bail was set at $1,000 cash.
Sheriff Donnie Smith
The Sheriff’s Office was first on scene and soon was assisted by the Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service and Machias Police. The female subject was believed to be barricaded in her home with several weapons. Several neighbors were evacuated from their homes for their safety. Several calls were made to the residence by the Washington County Communication Center and the dispatcher on duty spoke with her but she hung up the phone and disabled it. .
A member of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office started a dialog with the female subject by public address for several minutes at which time she decided to surrender without incident. The suspect was identified as Louisa Landeen 41 of East Machias, who was extremely intoxicated. K9 handler Warden Alan Curtis and his partner (Cruizer) who is specifically trained in locating gun powder residue/gun recently fired was used on scene and the gun on scene was recovered. Evidence was recovered at the scene by Deputy Dennis Dorsey who is a member of the evidence response team (ERT). Landeen was arrested for reckless conduct and is cooperating with authorities. Landeen was transported to the Washington County Jail without incident and bail was set at $1,000 cash.
Sheriff Donnie Smith
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