Editor’s Note: An arrest or summons does not constitute a finding of guilt. An individual charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at criminal proceedings.
HOULTON, Maine — The Maine State Police Troop F barracks in Houlton responded to a number of calls for service during the period of Aug. 1-7, including the following.
Monday, Aug. 1
VAN BUREN — Trooper Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement in Van Buren when he observed a vehicle with numerous infractions. The vehicle was stopped and during the investigation, it was determined the driver, a minor, was in possession of liquor. The male was issued a juvenile summons for the violation and his parents were contacted to come get him and the vehicle.
MAPLETON — Tr. Rider was conducting traffic enforcement in Mapleton when he observed a vehicle with a broken windshield and no valid inspection certificate. Tr. Rider stopped the vehicle and after an investigation discovered the registration plates were illegally attached to the vehicle. The plates were seized, and the driver was issued a criminal summons for the violation. The vehicle was towed from the roadway and the man was given a ride by the wrecker service.
MARS HILL — On July 12, Tr. Roy began investigating a sex offender registration violation. The State Bureau of Investigation reported that a registered sex offender in Mars Hill had not complied with the required verification paperwork since 2017. Tr. Roy located the male and warned him on two separate occasions that SBI had not received his paperwork and he would be charged if he did not coordinate with SBI to resolve the issue. After several weeks and warnings from Tr. Roy and an SBI employee, Tr. Roy charged the 32-year-old Mars Hill man with a Class B felony for failing to comply with the Sex Offender Registry. The man has two prior convictions for the same offense. He is scheduled to appear in the Presque Isle District Court in October.
Tuesday, Aug. 2
VAN BUREN — Tr. Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement in Van Buren when he stopped a vehicle for defective equipment. During the traffic stop, it was discovered the driver was on bail for unrelated charges. A bail check was conducted, and the man was found in violation due to liquor and drug paraphernalia. The man was issued a criminal summons, was not impaired, and was released.
Thursday, Aug. 4
HOULTON — Sgt. Fuller was driving in Houlton when he drove by a male who he knew had a suspended license. Sgt. Fuller pulled the male over and wrote him a summons for operating after suspension. The male has been charged for operating after suspension four times in the past month by different troopers. The vehicle the male was driving was not registered or inspected so Sgt. Fuller had the vehicle towed. The male was also given traffic tickets for the registration and inspection violations.
ASHLAND — Tr. Barnard received a call in reference to some explosives. The Ashland Police chief received a call from a resident about disposing of some blasting caps. Tr. Barnard responded to the individual’s residence and took possession of the blasting caps. Tr. Barnard took the blasting caps to a safe area and properly disposed of them.
Friday, Aug. 5
HOULTON — Sgt. Fuller was driving through Houlton when he drove by a male who he knew had a suspended license. Sgt. Fuller pulled the individual over. The male driver was given a summons for operating after suspension.
MASARDIS — Tr. Merchant responded to the report of a stolen vehicle from Daaquam Mill in Masardis. It was reported that a female had taken a vehicle from the mill and was now doing doughnuts in the parking lot. While Tr. Merchant was responding, the female crashed the truck into a ditch and was requesting an ambulance. The caller reported he thought the female was on meth. The female was transported to Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital. The female was medically cleared, and Tr. Merchant placed her under arrest. Tr. Merchant conducted a drug recognition expert evaluation on the female, and it appeared the female was impaired by drugs. Tr. Merchant charged the female with unauthorized use of property, criminal mischief, driving to endanger, and operating under the influence of drugs. The female also had an active no-bail warrant for her arrest. The female was transported to the Aroostook County Jail without incident.Â
PRESQUE ISLE — Tr. Roy was conducting traffic enforcement in Presque Isle when he observed a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. Tr. Roy activated his radar and determined the vehicle to be traveling 91 mph in the posted 55-mph zone. He stopped the vehicle and summonsed the 50-year-old Woodland man for criminal speed. He is due to appear in Presque Isle District Court in October.
SMYRNA — Tr. Cotton was conducting traffic enforcement in Smyrna when he observed an unregistered ATV operating on the public way. Tr. Cotton stopped the ATV and made contact with the male operator, who initially provided a false name. Tr. Cotton identified the male and learned his driver’s license was suspended, and he had four active arrest warrants. Additionally, the male had bail conditions that prohibited him from committing new criminal acts. Tr. Cotton charged the 41-year-old Smyrna man with operating after suspension and violation of condition of release. He was transported to the Aroostook County jail and booked on the four outstanding arrest warrants.Â
Saturday, Aug. 6
LITTLETON — Tr. Castonguay participated in Littleton Fun Days at the Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum in Littleton. He showed his cruiser and some of his equipment to children and adults attending the event.
Sunday, Aug. 7
MERRILL — Tr. Martin and Lt. Johnson were on an escort detail in Merrill. They were moving an oversized building that took up the entire roadway. While on their route they came across a vehicle on the side of the roadway. Tr. Martin walked up to the vehicle because it was blocking the way. As Tr. Martin started speaking with the male, he could tell that the male appeared to be impaired. Tr. Martin put the male through field sobriety and at the conclusion of the test advised the male he was too impaired to be driving. Tr. Martin placed the male under arrest. Dep. Stewart Kennedy transported the male to the Aroostook County Jail for an intoxilyzer test so Tr. Martin could continue the escort. The man was charged with operating under the influence of alcohol.Â
CARIBOU — Tr. Roy was conducting traffic enforcement in Caribou when he observed a vehicle not displaying an inspection sticker. Tr. Roy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and learned its registration had expired in September 2021. Tr. Roy issued the male operator, a 37-year-old Limestone man, a criminal summons for failure to register motor vehicle for greater than 150 days. He was also cited for the inspection sticker violation. He is due to appear in Caribou District Court in October.Â
