A 67-year-old Gardiner man faces federal charges that he produced and possessed child pornography.

Richard Bailey was ordered detained after his arrest April 17 and pleaded not guilty to the charges that same day.

Conviction on a charge of production of child pornography carries a minimum 15-year prison term and a maximum of 30 years.

Bailey was indicted April 12 by a federal grand jury in Bangor and the case was sealed until his arrest five days later.

Bailey was ordered held in jail after an April 20 hearing in U.S. District Court. Bailey, through his attorney, Jon Haddow, did not object to detention.

The prosecutor is Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew McCormack.

The indictment charges Bailey with sexual exploitation of a minor and says Baily induced a child around Feb. 8, 2017, “to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of that conduct and did aid and abet another person in doing the same.” It says Bailey knew the depiction would be transported in interstate and foreign commerce.

The second count says Bailey “knowingly possessed” child pornography up until May 4, 2017, that had been shipped through interstate or foreign commerce and that depicted a child under age 12.

The government also seeks forfeiture of computer equipment and thumb drives allegedly used in committing the offenses.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

Criminal charges have been dismissed against a Falmouth man arrested at a Scarborough Town Council meeting last November.

However, the town has asked the court reconsider the case because it says it was not notified about the hearing on the dismissal.

Michael Doyle, 69, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor count of criminal trespass for refusing to leave the meeting after his time in a public comment period had expired.

A video of the meeting shows that Doyle ridiculed the town’s bid to house an Amazon headquarters at Scarborough Downs. He also suggested that Town Manager Thomas Hall left his previous job in Rockland under suspicious circumstances. Then-council Chairman Shawn Babine and former Councilor William Donovan interrupted Doyle when he began to criticize Hall.

When Doyle protested and said he still had time to speak, Babine asked him to leave the council chamber. Doyle then sat down, but Scarborough Police Officer Mary Pearson asked him to stand, put him in handcuffs and led him from the chamber.

Doyle pleaded not guilty to the charge in January and filed a motion to dismiss the case.

At a hearing Monday, Superior Court Justice Andrew Horton dismissed the case with no objection from the state. No representatives from the town were present to argue against the ruling. The case, which was handled by Assistant District Attorney William Barry, was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be filed again.

Scarborough’s attorney, Mark Franco, said neither he nor the town was not notified of the hearing date, and on Wednesday Franco filed a motion to reconsider the case. He is asking the court reschedule the matter for oral argument, arguing that the town was denied the opportunity to object to the dismissal motion. Franco said Doyle violated the town’s code of decorum, was disrespectful, and attempted to defame the town manager.

Franco said he was in the process of drafting a response to Doyle’s motion to dismiss when he learned the case had been dismissed.

Tamara Getchell, spokeswoman for the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office, said her office was not required to notify the town’s attorney.

Doyle, a frequent critic of town government, argued he was illegally instructed to leave a public meeting. He said questioning the town manager’s previous job did not constitute disorderly conduct, and his removal from the meeting violated his First Amendment free speech rights.

Doyle said this week he did not want to discuss the outcome of the case, but did say that political speech cannot be censored.

Juliette Laaka can be contacted at 781-3661 ext. 106 or at:

jlaaka@theforecaster.net

Twitter @JulietteLaaka.

Read this story in The Forecaster.

A Sanford man was sentenced Thursday to five years in prison for transporting child pornography.

Rusty Hood, 38, was also sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Nancy Torresen to 10 years of supervised release.

Hood pleaded guilty on Jan. 29.

Authorities said that in May 2016, Hood chatted online with an individual in Ohio and the two men exchanged images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Hood also told the man that he was interested in babies and had engaged in sexual activities with a young girl.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maine said the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

INDUSTRY — A Fairfield man was arrested early Thursday after a sheriff’s deputy responded to a report of a disturbance on Time Square Road.

A person reported about 12:24 a.m. that Mitchel MacArthur was in his driveway threatening him and refusing to leave, Scott Nichols Sr., sheriff of Franklin County, wrote in an email.

Deputy Andrew Morgan responded.

“It was alleged that a girlfriend of MacArthur was at the residence of the complainant; however investigation revealed that the girlfriend had left MacArthur and he was now stalking her and had followed her to the Industry residence,” according to Nichols.

MacArthur, 28, of Fairfield was arrested on a charge of domestic violence stalking. He was taken to the Franklin County Detention Center in Farmington.

He was released Thursday morning on $500 cash bail.

A conviction on a stalking charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.

IN AUGUSTA, Wednesday at 7:27 a.m., a traffic accident causing an injury was reported on Western Avenue and Interstate 95.

9:50 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Western Avenue.

11:23 a.m., criminal threatening was reported on Winthrop Street.

11:47 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Bangor Street.

12:47 p.m., a hit-and-run traffic accident was reported on Western Avenue.

2:18 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Water Street.

2:25 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Civic Center Drive.

2:26 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Cony Street.

2:28 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Eight Rod Road.

2:50 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Quimby Street.

2:52 p.m., a hit-and-run traffic accident was reported on Memorial Circle.

3:02 p.m., criminal mischief was reported on Dam Pond Road.

4:22 p.m., property was recovered on Winthrop Street.

5:46 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Western Avenue and Crossing Way.

10:22 p.m., criminal trespassing was reported on Medical Center Parkway.

Thursday at 4:49 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Western Avenue.

IN GARDINER, Wednesday at 12:01 p.m., theft was reported on Summer Street.

Thursday at 7:05 a.m., criminal trespassing was reported around Church and Water streets.

IN HALLOWELL, Wednesday at 10:16 a.m., a mental health and well-being check was performed on Balsam Drive.

12:29 p.m., harassment was reported on Water Street.

IN MONMOUTH, Wednesday at 9:22 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Waugan Road.

IN RANDOLPH, Wednesday at 1:39 a.m., a suspicious person was reported on Windsor Street.

IN WINDSOR, Wednesday at 2:28 p.m., a traffic accident causing injury was reported on Augusta-Rockland Road.

IN WINTHROP, Wednesday at 7:12 p.m., a suspicious person was reported on Welch’s Point.

9:03 p.m., a suspicious person was reported on Pearl Street.

ARRRESTS

IN AUGUSTA, Wednesday at 11:42 p.m., Christopher Cooper, 36, of Chelsea, was arrested on two warrants, on Cony Street.

IN GARDINER, Wednesday at 11:53 a.m., Lexi Sabrina Vanwinkle, 21, of Gardiner, was arrested on a charge of domestic violence assault, on Spring Street.

IN CLINTON, Wednesday at 7:04 p.m., a caller from the Clinton Town Office reported a protection order violation.

IN CORNVILLE, Wednesday at 5:43 p.m., an assault was reported on Spurwink Lane.

IN FAIRFIELD, Wednesday at 10:46 a.m., threatening was reported on Six Rod Road.

1:58 p.m., an open door or window was reported on Ten Lots Road.

7:33 p.m., a vehicle fire was reported on Western Avenue.

9:11 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Waterville Road.

IN MADISON, Wednesday at 9:46 a.m., harassment was reported on Park Street.

10:30 a.m., harassment was reported on East Madison Road.

12:45 p.m., a scam was reported on Thurston Hill Road.

6:45 p.m., shots were reported fired on Laney Road.

IN NORRIDGEWOCK, Tuesday at 5:05 p.m., a caller from ESM or Somerset House reported an adult was missing.

Wednesday at 1:42 a.m., a robbery was reported at Cumberland Farms on Waterville Road.

5:09 a.m., a suspicious person or activity was reported on Martin Stream Road.

9:11 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Waterville Road.

IN OAKLAND, Wednesday at 10:05 a.m., threatening was reported on Belgrade Road.

10:46 a.m., a theft was reported at Ray Haskell Ford on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

1:19 p.m., criminal mischief was reported on High Street.

2:36 p.m., a caller from Benson Cove reported a person was missing.

IN PITTSFIELD, Wednesday at 9:20 a.m., vandalism was reported on Central Street.

10:50 a.m., debris was reported in the roadway on Interstate 95.

IN SKOWHEGAN, Wednesday at 12:21 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported on West Front Street.

12:40 p.m., a shoplifter was reported on Water Street.

2:03 p.m., a theft was reported on Madison Avenue.

Thursday at 2:56 a.m., a domestic disturbance was reported on French Street.

10:34 a.m., a disturbance was reported at Harvey’s Park.

10:36 a.m., an intoxicated person was reported at Harvey’s Park.

IN WATERVILLE, Wednesday at 2:06 p.m., a shoplifter was reported at Marden’s Surplus & Salvage on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

3:14 p.m., a theft was reported at College Quik Stop on West River Road.

5:10 p.m., a protection order violation was reported on Moor Street.

5:27 p.m., noise was reported on Elm Court.

6:27 p.m., a domestic dispute was reported on Front Street.

6:48 p.m., a caller from Yeaton Street reported an unwanted person on the premises.

6:59 p.m., noise was reported at Colby College on Mayflower Hill Drive.

8:54 p.m., criminal trespassing was reported at Pine Tree Commons on Elm Street.

10:23 p.m., a disturbance was reported at Walmart, on Waterville Commons Drive.

IN WINSLOW, Wednesday at 9:51 a.m., a vehicle burglary was reported on Poulin Street.

9:15 p.m., a traffic accident causing injury was reported on China Road.

ARRESTS

IN FAIRFIELD, Tuesday at 2:57 a.m., Caleb Mellows, 24, of Fairfield, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence and two counts of criminal mischief.

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, Wednesday at 8:35 a.m., Thomas Plog, 65, of Avon, was arrested and charged with operating under the influence and refusing to submit to arrest or detention, physical force.

IN SOMERSET COUNTY, Wednesday at 12:29 p.m., Erik William Olson, 37, of Skowhegan, was arrested on three warrants.

Thursday at 8:01 a.m., Michel Paquin, 44, of Chambly, Quebec, was arrested on a warrant and charged with operating under the influence.

9:44 a.m., Bryan Alan Lessard, 23, of Waterville, was arrested on a warrant.

IN WATERVILLE, Wednesday at 5 p.m., Andrew Dyer, 33, of Waterville, was arrested and charged with violation of protection from abuse order.

5:57 p.m., Samantha Baker, 45, of Clinton, was arrested and charged with protection from abuse order violation.

SUMMONSES

IN FAIRFIELD, Tuesday at 5:51 p.m., Kelly L. Breton, 45, of Benton, was summoned and charged with displaying a fictitious vehicle certificate.

IN WINSLOW, Wednesday at 10:39 a.m., Axel Antonio Valentin-Nater, 45, of Winslow, was summoned and charged with operating while license suspended or revoked.

AUGUSTA — A New Jersey man who pleaded guilty to three aggravated drug-trafficking charges almost 11 months ago received a 16-year sentence.

Otis Daniel Tosen, 47, of Passaic, New Jersey, was ordered to serve and initial six years in prison, with the remainder suspended while he spends four years on probation.

The three $400 fines accompanying the convictions were suspended.

Tosen himself made his own sentencing argument in front of the judge on April 18. Over the course of the case, he had fired a handful of attorneys who represented him, and two were appointed as backup counsel for the sentencing hearing.

Tosen, who goes by the street names “Otis Bell” and “Slim,” and Kimberly Maldonado, who also is of Passaic, had been arrested by Maine Drug Enforcement Agency agents Dec. 12, 2014, in a hotel room in Augusta. Agents reported seizing an estimated $36,000 worth of drugs: 50 grams of crack cocaine, 150 grams of powder cocaine and 620 oxycodone pills.

The offenses occurred Dec. 10, 2014.

Tosen, who at one point was free on $100,000 cash bail with conditions that he remain in Maine, pleaded guilty June 8, 2017, to two counts of aggravated trafficking in cocaine base and one count of aggravated trafficking in oxycodone.

He agreed to forfeit $5,257 seized from him when he was arrested. He had been scheduled to go to trial and the was due for jury selection at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.

Tosen had previous convictions in Passaic — in February 1999 for manufacturing/distributing a controlled dangerous substance and in March 2010 for possession of controlled, dangerous substance.

In May 2016, Maldonado, now 50, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and was sentenced to 20 months in prison and fined $400. She also forfeited her interest in the $5,257 that was seized.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

A retired Eliot and Kittery police chief was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Thursday as Maine’s next U.S. marshal.

Theodor G. Short of South Berwick, who had been nominated for the post by President Trump, was confirmed to a four-year term, according to a statement from Republican Sen. Susan Collins.

Short, a native of Fairfield, was the first police chief in the state to lead two police departments concurrently.

He retired as police chief for Kittery and Eliot in 2016.

Collins said Short’s career in law enforcement has spanned more than four decades.

After serving in the Army as a Military Police officer, Short became a Maine state trooper.

He served in the state police for more than 20 years before retiring as commanding officer of Troop A – a district that covers southern Maine.

“Ted has served for more than 40 years in law enforcement in Maine and is highly qualified to assume this crucial position,” Collins said.

“Throughout his impressive career in public service, Ted has spearheaded important initiatives to increase safety in the community and develop productive partnerships between law enforcement and citizens.”

Collins said that Short led an initiative to establish the Zero Tolerance Domestic Violence Policy, which established partnerships between the Maine State Police Criminal Investigative Division, prosecutors, advocacy groups and local leaders to protect victims.

He also organized Hope for the Seacoast, an effort to help southern Maine and northern New Hampshire address the opioid crisis by bringing law enforcement and the community together.

The term of the state’s previous U.S. marshal, Noel March, has expired.

Once Short is sworn in, he will assume his new duties.

The U.S. Marshal’s Service is the enforcement arm of the federal courts and is involved in virtually every federal law enforcement initiative.

Their duties may include protection of the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals, housing and transporting federal prisoners, and operating the witness security program.

Dennis Hoey can be contacted at 791-6365 or at:

dhoey@pressherald.com

Aside from arrest records and a handful of Facebook posts, John Williams left few clues as to who he was outside of the man suspected of shooting and killing Somerset County Sheriff’s Officer Cpl. Eugene Cole.

A member of the Skowhegan Area High School class of 2007, Williams did not graduate with his class and it’s unclear whether he dropped out or moved to adult education classes, though at one point he was vice president of his sophomore class, according to school records.

Neighbors near his last known address — on Jones Street in Madison — said they knew little about the 29-year-old, who records indicate was born in Texas and who has a criminal history in Maine, Tennessee and Massachusetts.

According to his Facebook page, Williams lives in Orono and works at Smith Mountain Investments, an inspector of wooden utility poles, in Anson. A phone call and email to the business Thursday were not returned.

The FBI is offering a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Williams, who is suspected of killing Cole early Wednesday. Authorities have spent the last two days searching for Williams.

On Thursday they offered a possible motivation for the killing, saying Cole had been involved days earlier in the arrest of Williams’ girlfriend, Kristina Pomerleau, on charges related to cocaine possession and operating a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.

Williams has Maine addresses dating back to 2005 in Norridgewock and a criminal history in Maine that includes a burglary he committed as a juvenile in 2006 and the theft of money from an Irving gas station in Fairfield in 2007.

On March 22, Williams and Pomerleau were stopped on Interstate 495 by Massachusetts police. The stop yielded four firearms charges and two driving offenses for Williams, who had been scheduled to appear in court in Massachusetts on the firearms charges on Wednesday this week.

That same morning, police believe, Williams shot Cole, stole his cruiser, committed a theft at the Cumberland Farms in Norridgewock and then went on the run after ditching the cruiser on Martin Stream Road in Norridgewock.

Williams’ last known address is listed as 16 Jones St. in Madison on the criminal complaint from Massachusetts.

No one answered the door Wednesday or Thursday at a home in Oakland believed to be that of Williams’ mother.

Police cruisers and armored vehicles spent hours Wednesday night outside the Madison address, a large bluish-colored home with plastic wrapped around the base.

On Thursday, the police presence was largely gone from the site. A young couple appearing to be in their 20s or 30s left the house late in the afternoon.

According to property tax records, the house belongs to Brian K. Moore Sr., of Dover-Foxcroft. Moore could not be reached for comment late Thursday.

The young woman leaving the house would not give her name but said her father owns the house.

She said Williams did live there, though he planned on moving out because he thought he would be going to jail after his scheduled court hearing in Massachusetts.

“I guess he’s in the woods now,” she said. “I don’t know what happened to him.”

Other neighbors on the street said they were unfamiliar with Williams.

“I really wish they would catch that (expletive) and put him in a room with Eugene’s friends and family and let them go at him,” said Kathy Cousineau, 61, who lives a few houses down the street.

Rolo Ruiz, who lives across the street and one house over from 16 Jones St., said that in general the house is rented out as an apartment and has a high turnover rate among its tenants.

“Nobody’s ever in that house long enough to really get to know them,” said Ruiz, 43. “It’s a pretty quiet street. You see people walking to the store and stuff, but that’s it. It’s just that house that people seem to rent, and they’re not there long.”

Williams’ Facebook page contains photos that show him with two friends at what appears to be a wedding and several photos of him smiling and standing with a young man dressed in a cap and gown at the University of Maine at Farmington.

According to the FBI, he also has at least eight tattoos, including the words “Seven Eleven” on his chest below his collarbones; the abbreviation “est” between his pectoral muscles; his last name, Williams, on his lower abdomen; and a small “safety selector” symbol on the back of his left hand.

He also has the words “Semper” and “Fidelis” tattooed on his upper right and left arms. “Semper fidelis” is the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps.

On his right forearm, Williams has “Molon Labe,” a Greek phrase meaning “come and take them” that is popular among proponents of the Second Amendment.

The most recent public posts on Williams’ page are that he started his job in Anson in 2017 and the pictures from the University of Maine at Farmington posted in May 2017.

Older posts dating back to 2012 mostly talk about relaxing on the weekend and spending time with family and friends, though a few mention firearms and recreational shooting.

On Dec. 21, 2012, Williams posted his thoughts on the end of the world. The date was interpreted as being that of the apocalypse forecast in an ancient Mayan prophecy.

“Well just in case shit ends tomorrow. Ive had a hell of a ride n grateful for all my friends and family,” Williams wrote. “Love u all with my life. N if shit gets real tomorrow im locked loaded and prepared so i wouldnt get in my way while i start the Nwock take over with the crew lol. Everyone is welcome to join our new world order. But I sincerely hope for a gradual decline in the world … Fingers cross so, much love to everyone n dont miss the eclipse … history in the making.”

Portland Press Herald staff writer Matt Byrne and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

Rachel Ohm — 612-2368

rohm@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @rachel_ohm

Police-shooting suspect John Williams was acting paranoid and was carrying a backpack, two duffel bags and a bulletproof vest, according to a friend, when the friend he dropped him off early Wednesday morning outside a house on Mercer Road.

“What made me nervous was — and I didn’t notice until he got out of the car — was he had a bulletproof vest,” Chris Shulenski, of Skowhegan, said in an interview Friday. “I said, ‘John, don’t do nothing crazy,’ and gave him a hug. He wasn’t talking about killing anybody or no problems with the cops. He was talking about maybe going and robbing a dealer to get his girlfriend out of jail. I really just thought it was talk.”

Authorities on Friday again implored Williams to surrender peacefully, with the county sheriff saying they’ve learned that he might want to communicate with police.

“We will do anything to resolve this situation peacefully,” Sheriff Dale Lancaster said during a Friday morning news conference. “It has come to our attention during this investigation that he might want to reach out and speak to us. I would like him to understand we are here. We are willing to listen. Please, reach out, and let’s start that communication.”

Lancaster also announced that a service for Cole will be held Monday, May 7, at the Cross Insurance Center, at 515 Main St. in Bangor, with Chaplain Kevin Brooks officiating. “It is conceivable that hundreds of police officers will be there from all across the country, as well as Maine and the citizens of Somerset County,” Lancaster said.

State police Lt. Col. John Cote said authorities now have a “good handle” on Williams’ activities in the 24-hour period before he allegedly shot and killed Cpl. Eugene Cole early Wednesday morning, but said what investigators are lacking is information and interactions anyone had with Williams after 2:30 a.m.

Cote asked anyone who’s had contact with Williams, including via text message or on social media, to contact police immediately.

In the Friday interview, Shulenski said he got a phone call Tuesday morning from Williams, who is suspected of killing Cpl. Eugene Cole, of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office. The two have known each other for about a year through their jobs at Smith Mountain Investments in Anson.

“I hadn’t heard from him in quite some time,” said Shulenski, 31. “We had a conversation and I asked him how he was doing. He said he was in a little bit of trouble, that he had court coming up the next day and he wasn’t sure if he was going to go.”

Williams, who was scheduled to appear Wednesday in court in Massachusetts, instead gave Shulenski a call later Tuesday night, around midnight or 1 a.m., asking for a ride to a house on Mercer Road in Norridgewock.

Sometime between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., authorities said, Williams shot and killed Cole, stole his police cruiser and drove it to a Cumberland Farms convenience store, which he robbed.

Shulenski said he picked Williams up from the Indian Ridge apartments in Skowhegan. Williams had the duffel bags, backpack and vest with him.

“He looked like he was just hopping around and didn’t have a place to stay,” Shulenski said. “It wasn’t a lot of stuff. I probably could have carried it all on me, no problem.”

On the ride to Norridgewock, Shulenski said his friend was acting paranoid and nervous. As they came into town, they saw a police car at Cumberland Farms.

Shulenski said Williams ducked down in the car. He asked him if he was in trouble and his friend said, “No, but I will be tomorrow when I miss court.”

“I figured he was going to do something dumb like rob a store,” Shulenski said.

Cole, 62, was shot and killed early Wednesday on U.S. Route 2 in Norridgewock, becoming the first Maine police officer killed in a shooting in nearly 30 years. He was a 13-year veteran of the department.

Williams, 29, of Madison, remains at large and is considered by police to be “armed and extremely dangerous.”

A massive police manhunt has been underway for Williams since Wednesday morning, involving the FBI and some 200 law enforcement officials who have scoured a number of locations across central Maine. Authorities told residents to keep their doors and cars locked and said officers have been assigned to area schools.

The FBI has announced a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Williams.

Throughout Friday morning and afternoon, the manhunt once again centered on a wooded area off Martin Stream Road and Bear Mountain Road in Fairfield and Norridgewock. Armed officers could be seen patrolling an old railroad track off the road as a helicopter hovered overhead.

Later Friday afternoon, Gov. Paul LePage announced he had issued an emergency proclamation that suspends all hunting, including the start of turkey season, in the portions of Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Fairfield where the manhunt is still underway.

“I am using my executive authority to ensure the safety of the public and our law enforcement officers,” LePage said in a statement. “We are heartbroken yet determined to find the fugitive and bring him to justice as swiftly as possible. I thank our law enforcement officers and those from the federal government and surrounding states for their hard work in difficult conditions over the past several days.”

LePage said the proclamation suspends all hunting until further notice, including youth wild-turkey hunting day on Saturday and regular wild-turkey season, which begins Monday. The LePage administration posted a map online showing the defined areas where hunting is suspended in portions of Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Fairfield.

‘OVER PARANOIA’

Authorities on Thursday confirmed that Kristina A. Pomerleau, 32, of Norridgewock, was in a relationship with Williams.

Williams was arrested in Massachusetts last month on firearm and driving-related charges during a traffic stop, and she had been scheduled to appear Wednesday this week in a Massachusetts courtroom for a probable cause hearing, according to the Essex District Attorney’s Office. Pomerleau was a passenger in the vehicle during that traffic stop and was issued a summons for possession of Percocet.

Then, Pomerleau was arrested locally Saturday on charges of unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs, possession of scheduled drugs, operating after suspension and possession of a suspended license. She was booked at 4:22 p.m. at the Somerset County Jail in East Madison and remained there as of Friday, according to jail records.

Pomerleau’s arrest came during a traffic stop at 5:13 p.m. April 21 on Skowhegan Road in Norridgewock, in which Cole is listed as a responding officer in a sheriff’s office police log. Other responding officers were Deputy Isaac Wacome and Detective Lt. Carl Gottardi.

A police affidavit detailing what happened with Pomerleau’s arrest was unavailable because a judge impounded it Thursday morning at the request of the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office. Other documents in the case file that had not been impounded in court alleged Pomerleau had possessed cocaine and that the arresting officer was Wacome.

The Morning Sentinel on Thursday appealed the impounding of the document, but a judge on Friday decided to keep the document sealed from public view.

Shulenski, though, said he doesn’t think Pomerleau’s recent arrest had anything to do with what Williams allegedly did.

“The whole story that’s going around about he shot (Cole) because of the arrest of his girlfriend, I don’t believe that at all,” Shulenski said. “I think it was over paranoia. When that cop drove by, he was really worried. He didn’t even want me to leave the driveway.”

After he left, Shulenski said, he didn’t remember whether Williams entered the house or was putting his stuff into an SUV in the driveway. It was the last time he saw his friend before waking up to police outside his door Wednesday morning wanting to question him about Cole’s death.

“I’d tell him, ‘I’m sorry about all this, and I don’t know what’s going in your life that made you do it,'” Shulenski said. “What would you say to a friend? I just don’t know. I’d try to talk him into turning himself in, but I know John. He didn’t want to go do 10 years. He just took a man’s life. He knows what he’s facing. How can it end? There’s no happy ending.”

‘A HORRIBLE THING’

Robert Wilbur, who has been married to Williams’ mother, now Marjorie Wilbur, for 12 years, said in an interview Friday that he last saw Williams about three weeks ago, during the first week of April.

Marjorie Wilbur and her son got along with each other, but Robert said he did not know his wife’s son well and didn’t like to pry into the young man’s life.

“He was never on bad terms with her,” Robert Wilbur said. “He’s come visit. Sometimes he’d have a meal.”

But he acknowledged that Williams had problems with drugs.

“I do know when people are on drugs, they turn into completely different people,” he said.

When news broke of Cole’s death and the search for Williams, the Wilburs went to police to notify them of their connection to Williams. Wilbur declined to discuss what he and his wife talked about with police.

“They said to keep things under my hat, that talking about ’em won’t be any better,” he said. “They told us when they found out something, they’d let us know.”

Cole’s death and the manhunt have been upsetting, to say the least, Wilbur said.

“It’s a horrible thing,” Wilbur said. “The sooner it’s over, the better. It isn’t something I relish talking about.”

Meanwhile, as the manhunt for Williams entered its third day Friday, several area schools remained on heightened alert by locking in students while school is in session.

That’s the case for School Administrative District 54, which serves the Skowhegan area, including Norridgewock, where Williams allegedly shot and killed Cole.

Brent Colbry, superintendent of SAD 54 schools, said in a notice that schools would remain under the same lock-in conditions of the previous two days as a precaution.

“We will again have administrators on site at each building and will be in communication with law enforcement throughout the day,” Colbry wrote.

During Friday morning’s news conference, Lancaster said authorities set up roadblocks overnight and distributed more than 800 reward posters. Authorities searched locations, responded to eight calls that were processed through incident command center and “saturated” uniform patrols.

He said the manhunt on Friday would involve following up on more leads, deploying teams of officers door to door and concentrating search efforts on a wooded area off Martin Stream Road.

Williams was described as being 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing about 120 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes. Police said anyone who sees Williams should call 911 immediately.

The FBI has also described at least eight tattoos on Williams. One of them has the words “SEVEN ELEVEN” — an apparent reference to his birthday, July 11 — on his chest below his collarbones; and the abbreviation “est” between his pectorals. The name “WILLIAMS” appears on his lower abdomen, above his navel. He has a half-sleeve tattoo on his left arm, the word “Semper” on his upper right arm, the word “Fidelis” on his upper left arm, and a small “safety selector” symbol on the back of his left hand.

Williams also has the words “Molon Labe” — a Greek expression of defiance meaning “come and take” that has been adopted by some guns rights advocates — on his right forearm.

A Raymond man led police on a chase through Windham, Raymond and Standish Thursday morning before driving over spike mats and getting arrested, police said.

Derick W. Richardson, 27, was involved in a disturbance at a nursing home off Tandberg Trail in Windham at about 8:30 Thursday morning, according to the Windham Police Department. No more details were provided about the nature of the disturbance.

Richardson had driven away from the nursing home before police arrived at the nursing home. Officers later found Richardson in the Windham Mall parking lot off Route 302. When they tried to approach him, Richardson drove off. Police cruisers chased Richardson through North Windham, Raymond and Standish before he was stopped after he ran over two spike mats at the intersection of Whites Bridge Rd. and Chadborne Rd. in Standish.

Richardson was taken into custody and transported to the Cumberland County Jail. He has been charged with eluding a police officer and passing a police roadblock.

A 26-year-old Massachusetts man was sentenced Friday in federal court in Portland to three years and a month in prison on gun charges stemming from an Old Port shooting.

Noor Mohamed, who shot a handgun in the Old Port in an altercation with another man in November 2016, still faces state charges, including two counts of attempted murder.

U.S. District Chief Judge Nancy Torresen told Mohamed that his life story – he and his mother fled Somalia, via Kenya and Uganda, to join his father in the U.S. 17 years ago – was “compelling,” but that he seemed to have chosen a life of crime since his early teens.

“I’ve been struggling with what to do here,” she told him, adding that it appeared he would end up “doing a life sentence on the installment plan.”

Mohamed was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence of 37 months was at the top of guidelines based on Mohamed’s crime and criminal history. His lawyer had asked for a sentence of 30 months, which would have been at the low end of the guidelines. Mohamed has an official address of Roxbury, Massachusetts, but has spent considerable time in Maine, where he was jailed in 2014 after being convicted of drug and firearms charges.

At his sentencing in York County on drug and gun charges in 2014, Assistant U.S. Attorney David Joyce said, Mohamed told a judge that he would turn his life around. Yet when he headed to the Old Port for a night out less than a year after his release, he carried a gun, Joyce said.

“This is a very predictable result,” Joyce told Torresen.

Mohamed’s attorney, David Beneman, said his client knew “his credibility is tarnished” by prior claims that he would turn his life around. But, Beneman said, Mohamed should have been sentenced to a probationary period, so he could have had guidance after re-entering society. Instead, he faced the same situation as when he entered jail.

“When he walked out of York County Jail (in December 2015) nothing had changed,” he said.

Officials said they aren’t sure what led to the altercation between Mohamed and another man, although there are suggestions it might have been racially motivated.

Torresen said Mohamed had two opportunities to defuse the situation, starting with when he went to his car while the other man in the dispute walked off. But, she said, Mohamed then encountered the man again, and the fight resumed.

Mohamed grabbed his gun and shot, she said. A bullet grazed the sweater of a man who wasn’t involved in the fight, but no one was hurt in the shooting.

“But for the grace of God,” she said, “you missed him,”

Portland police arrested Mohamed nearby on Pearl Street. He had driven his car over a curb, disabling it, and ran off when police arrived.

Mohamed tearfully told Torresen that he accepted responsibility for what he had done and wanted to get mental health counseling.

But Torresen said she had been leaning toward giving Mohamed a longer sentence than the guidelines called for because of his criminal history and the seriousness of the crime.

She also noted that Mohamed will be subject to supervision on his release from prison and warned him that he would face more penalties if he doesn’t use that time to get his life in order.

“You are pretty much out of straws,” she said.

IN CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Thursday at 11:53 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Commons Circle.

IN CHINA, Thursday at 8:57 p.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Lakeview Drive.

IN CHESTERVILLE, Thursday at 11:12 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Borough Road.

IN CLINTON, Thursday at 9:53 p.m., a disturbance was investigated on River Road.

IN FAIRFIELD, Thursday at 9:41 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Horn Hill Road.

11:16 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Skowhegan Road.

2:03 p.m., a civil complaint was taken on Ridge Road.

4:22 p.m., a report of gun shots was taken on Davis Road.

5:58 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Elm Street.

6:03 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Norridgewock Road.

6:48 pm., suspicious activity was reported on Mountain Avenue.

7:32 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Skips Way.

8:17 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Bear Mountain Road.

9:33 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Martin Stream Road.

11:27 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Davis Road.

Friday at 7:10 a.m., a civil complaint was taken on Skowhegan Road.

7:21 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Center Road.

IN FARMINGTON, Thursday at 1:50 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Whittier Road.

3:55 p.m., police were called to remove a person on Main Street.

5:12 p.m., a theft was reported on High Street and Academy Street.

6:29 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Farmington Falls Road.

9:55 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Main Street.

IN INDUSTRY, Thursday at 9:22 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Federal Row.

In JAY, Thursday at 3:06 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Intervale Road.

3:22 p.m.,suspicious activity was reported on Plaisted Road.

10:30 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Main Street.

Friday at 6:00 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Church Street.

IN KINGFIELD, Thursday at 8:41 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on School Street.

IN MADISON, Thursday at 9:40 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on East Madison Road.

1:10 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Heald Street.

2:16 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Heald Street.

4:45 p.m., a report of threatening was investigated on Hazel Street.

Friday at 6:39 a.m., a disturbance was investigated on Garfield Street.

8:32 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on East Madison Road.

IN NORRIDGEWOCK, Thursday at 11:19 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Madison Road.

5:57 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Mercer Road.

6:51 p.m., a past burglary was investigated on Skowhegan Road.

8:34 p.m., mischief was reported on Erica Way.

9:57 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Winding Hill Road.

10:23 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Smithfield Road.

11:23 p.m., an arrest was made following a report of a domestic disturbance on River Road.

Friday at 12:52 a.m., a disturbance was reported on Waterville Road.

IN PALMYRA, Thursday at 12:24 p.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Main Street.

Friday at 7:09 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Oxbow Road.

IN PHILLIPS, Thursday at 3:51 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Dodge Road.

IN PITTSFIELD, Thursday at 9:58 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Main Street.

12:01 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Dogtown Road.

12:11 p.m., a civil complaint was taken on Madawaska Avenue.

Friday at 6:13 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Hartland Avenue.

IN RANGELEY, Thursday at 4:18 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Loon Lake Road.

IN SKOWHEGAN, Thursday at 10:34 a.m., a disturbance was reported at Harvey’s Park.

10:36 a.m., an intoxicated subject was reported at Harvey’s Park.

11:13 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Fairview Avenue.

11:50 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Norridgewock Avenue.

12:37 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Madison Avenue.

4:14 p.m., a theft was reported on Hilltop Drive.

4:24 p.m., a vehicle fire was investigated on Adams Street.

4:54 p.m., a theft was reported on Madison Avenue.

5:43 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Madison Avenue.

5:53 p.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Middle Road.

6:42 p.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Notch Road.

7:30 p.m., a harassment complaint was investigated on Tammy Lane.

8:12 p.m., an arrest was made following a report of gun shots being fired on Family Circle.

11:12 p.m., suspicious activity was investigated on West Front Street.

IN SMITHFIELD, Thursday at 1:13 p.m., a harassment complaint was investigated on Village Road.

IN STARKS, suspicious activity was investigated on Corinna Road.

IN WATERVILLE, Thursday at 9:55 a.m., an unwanted subject was reported on Redington Street.

11:23 a.m., a harassment complaint was investigated on Elmhurst Street.

1:50 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at Bath & Body Works on Elm Plaza.

2:30 p.m., a fight was reported on Gilman Street.

3:40 p.m., a verbal warning was issued following a report of fraud or forgery at Subway on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

4:16 p.m., an unwanted subject was reported at Flagship Cinema on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

4:49 p.m., an assault was investigated on Main Street.

5:33 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at Shaw’s Plaza on Kennedy Memorial Drive.

6:48 p.m., a domestic dispute was investigated on Carver Street.

8:32 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Water Street.

8:32 p.m., criminal mischief was reported on College Avenue.

11:18 p.m., threatening was reported on Union Street.

11:21 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Pleasantdale Avenue.

Friday at 1:38 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated at Cumberland Farms on College Avenue.

1:51 a.m., an unwanted subject was reported on Elm Street.

2:41 a.m., suspicious activity was investigated on Quarry Road.

IN WINSLOW, Thursday at 12:44 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on West Palmer Road.

5:02 p.m., suspicious activity was investigated at St. John Church & Rectory on Monument Street.

10:26 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Winslow.

ARRESTS

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, Thursday at 1:15 a.m., Mitchell B. MacArthur Jr., 28, of Fairfield, was arrested on a charge of domestic violence stalking.

10:00 p.m., Heather S. Biedinger, 35, of Wilton, was arrested on a charge of violating condition of release.

IN SOMERSET COUNTY, Thursday at 2:17 p.m., Joshua R. Savage, 29, of Norridgewock, was arrested on a charge of operating after suspension.

5:15 p.m., Patrick R. Grigway, 24, of Skowhegan, was arrested on warrants for failure to appear and probation revocation on domestic violence assault.

6:56 p.m., Nicholas J. Wagner, 34, of Pittsfield, was arrested on a charge of violating condition of release.

9:54 p.m., Allen Jenness, 29, of Waterville, was arrested on charges of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and discharge of a firearm near a dwelling or building.

Friday at midnight, Lance F. Silvia, 38, of Norridgewock, was arrested on charges of domestic violence assault and domestic violence terrorizing.

IN WATERVILLE, Thursday at 10:50 p.m., Scott A. Gordon, 47, of Clinton, was arrested on a charge of violating condition of release.

Friday at 12:19 a.m., Katie M. Goodale, 32, of Waterville, was arrested on charges of violating condition of release and unlawful possession of scheduled W drug.

12:19 a.m., Richard A. Coderre, 33, of Benton, was arrested on a warrant for possession of scheduled W drug.

12:19 a.m., John H. Cunningham, 50, of Winslow, was arrested on four charges of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and a charge of unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs.

12:19 a.m., Daniel R. Hood, 28, of Waterville, was arrested on two charges of unlawful possession of scheduled drug and charges of unlawful furnishing of scheduled drug and sale and use of drug paraphernalia.

BANGOR – Philip Scott Fournier was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Friday in a nearly 40-year-old slaying that many thought would never be solved, News Center Maine (WCSH-WLBZ) reported.

A judge found Fournier, 57, guilty in February of killing 16-year-old Joyce McLain. McLain disappeared while she was out jogging near her East Millinocket home in 1980, and her body was found two days later.

Fournier’s defense argued that Fournier’s memories, which played key roles in the prosecution’s case, were not reliable. One defense lawyer said doubts will linger in the case even after conviction and sentencing. There was no physical evidence that tied Fournier to the crime scene.

Fournier was charged with the crime in 2016, 36 years after it occurred.

The judge heard testimony from McLain’s family and friends.

Fournier, who goes by Scott, spoke for the first time throughout the course of this case, News Center Maine says.

Fournier maintained his innocence and did not apologize to the family of Joyce McLain. Instead, he said he doesn’t remember anything from the night of Aug. 8, 1980. Fournier has a traumatic brain injury from a car accident that same day. He also said he had a drinking problem at the time, but has since gotten help. He said he hasn’t had a sip of alcohol since 1984.

“It sounds like Joyce was a wonderful person,” he told the court. “I have proven that I was not involved in Joyce’s murder.”

Fournier’s family and lawyers say he plans to appeal this decision. He has already asked his attorney to file an appeal.

Read the full News Center Maine story here.

All hunting, including the start of turkey season, has been suspended in areas of Norridgewock, Skowhegan and Fairfield where a manhunt continued Friday for John Williams, who is suspected of killing a Somerset County sheriff’s officer early Wednesday morning.

Gov. Paul LePage ordered the action Friday.

“Considering the ongoing manhunt in that area, a heavy police presence remains and will continue until the suspect is apprehended,” the governor said in a statement. “The activities associated with hunting may trigger residents to report suspicious activity and cause an unnecessary police response.”

LePage is suspending until further notice all hunting to include youth wild-turkey hunting day on Saturday and regular wild-turkey season, which begins Monday, in the area.

The area is described in LePage’s proclamation and shown on an attached map.

IN AUGUSTA, Thursday at 7:37 a.m., simple assault was reported on Pierce Drive.

8:24 a.m., a domestic disturbance was reported on State Street.

11:09 a.m., a mental health and well-being check was performed on Hospital Street.

12:32 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Glenridge Drive.

12:43 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Stone Street.

2:32 p.m., criminal trespassing was reported on Weston Street.

3:25 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Civic Center and Darin drives.

4:22 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Cony Street.

5:23 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on New England Road.

6:47 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Northern Avenue.

8:03 p.m., fraud was reported on Western Avenue.

10:32 p.m., a mental health and well-being check was performed on the Calumet Bridge at Old Fort Western.

Friday at 2:28 a.m., burglary was reported by a caller on Taylor Street.

2:49 a.m., a disturbance was reported on Northern Avenue.

4:51 a.m., a well-being check was done on Spring Road and Morrissette Lane.

6:01 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Gaywalk Street.

6:18 a.m., an elevator problem was reported on Child Street.

6:32 a.m., a mental health and well-being check was performed on Water Street.

6:41 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Chapel Street.

IN GARDINER, Thursday at 12:21 p.m., theft was reported on Water Street.

IN HALLOWELL, Thursday at 2:50 p.m., a hit-and-run traffic accident was reported on Water Street.

4:38 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Water Street.

5:44 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Smith Road.

6:38 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Second and Academy streets.

IN MONMOUTH, Thursday at 8:11 p.m., a well-being check was done on Back Street.

IN WINTHROP, Thursday at 5:05 p.m., harassment was reported on Town Hall Lane.

8:51 p.m., a well-being check was done on East Winthrop Beach Lane.

ARRESTS

IN AUGUSTA, Thursday at 10:56 a.m., a 17-year-old juvenile was arrested on two charges of aggravated furnishing of scheduled drugs, after an investigation was performed on Pierce Drive.

11:43 a.m., James Edward Mcallian, 41, of Augusta, was arrested on a warrant, on Green Street.

IN GARDINER, Thursday at 3:50 p.m., Maureen E. Sullivan, 57, of Whitefield, was arrested on a warrant, after a complaint was made at the Gardiner Police Department.

SUMMONS

IN AUGUSTA, Thursday at 7:41 a.m., Peter Speropolous, 25, of Winslow, was summoned on a charge of theft by unauthorized taking or transfer ($500 to $1,000), after theft was reported on Bangor Street.

The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Department is looking for the person who dumped more than 90 used tires on a road in New Gloucester.

The vehicle tires were dumped on Quarry Road sometime overnight Thursday and reported to police around 6:30 a.m. Friday. The tires took up a large portion of the travel lane and extended into vernal pools and the wood line along the road, police said.

“This type of improper disposal of used tires creates a risk to the public, wildlife and the environment overall,” Capt. Scott Stewart said in a statement.

Anyone with information about the illegal dumping is asked to contact the sheriff’s department.

Five central Maine men were indicted earlier this month on federal firearms charges.

Four have pleaded not guilty to the charges and are free on unsecured bail pending their next hearing in U.S. District Court in Bangor.

The fifth, Donald “Donny” Henderson, 33, of Winthrop, is set for arraignment May 4. He was issued a summons to appear in court and is represented by attorney James Nixon.

Henderson’s indictment says he made false statements on Feb. 28, 2017, while buying a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol from Audette’s Inc., located in Winthrop. It alleges he checked a box indicating he was not an unlawful user of marijuana when, in fact, he was. The allegation is repeated in the second count, which says Henderson purchased an SCCY model CPX-1, 9 mm pistol on March 2, 2017, also from Audette’s.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives prohibits the sale of firearms and ammunition to those who use marijuana because it remains illegal under federal law even if state laws such as Maine’s permit medical and recreational marijuana.

Richard Quattrone, 48, of Augusta, is charged with two counts of lying to a federal firearms licensee on March 10, 2017. The indictment says he purchased a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol from Audette’s and indicated that he is an not an unlawful user of marijuana or other controlled substances. It says that Quattrone “was an unlawful user of marijuana” at the time and that he intentionally wrote down an address that was not his current one. Quattrone is represented by attorney Christopher McLean.

Quattrone pleaded not guilty to the charges on Thursday and is free on $5,000 unsecured bond.

Convictions on charges of making false statements to firearms dealers carry penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

David O. Miles Jr., 27, of Hartland, also allegedly bought two pistols, an SCCY CPX-1 9 mm and an SCCY CPX-2 9 mm, on March 2, 2015, from Bio-Rem Auto Sales, which is in St. Albans, and said the firearms were for him, which was untrue. Miles, who is represented by attorney Matthew Erickson, pleaded not guilty to the charge Thursday morning and is free on $5,000 unsecured bond.

Mark White, 28, of Searsmont, was indicted on two counts of lying to federal firearms dealers. He is accused of buying a Smith and Wesson SD40VE .40-caliber pistol on Jan. 31, 2017, from Parsons Small Engine & Gun Shop and indicated he was the actual purchaser when he was not. The second count is similar and involves the purchase of a Glock model 9 mm pistol, again from Parsons.

He pleaded not guilty to both charges on Tuesday and is free on unsecured bond. White is represented by attorney Ronald Bourget.

Steven P. Springer II, 25, of Waterville, is accused of two counts of lying to a federal firearms licensee. The first count in the indictment says he purchased a Kel-Tec PF9 9 mm pistol on Feb. 22, 2015, from Bio-Rem Auto Sales, which is in St. Albans, and indicated he was the actual buyer, which was untrue.

The second count says he purchased two Kel-Tec P-11 9 mm pistols on Feb. 24, 2015, from Jon’s Redemption & Pawn Shop, located in Newport. Springer pleaded not guilty to both counts in the indictment and is free on unsecured bail.

Springer is represented by attorney David Bate.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

Sidney Kilmartin could face life in prison for mailing cyanide to a man in England who took the poison to kill himself, a federal judge ruled Friday.

U.S. District Judge John A. Woodcock Jr. made the decision on the upper end of the penalty Kilmartin could face during a sentencing hearing Friday in Portland. But Woodcock didn’t hand down a sentence because prosecutors and Kilmartin’s lawyers ran out of time. The conclusion of the sentencing hearing is expected to be held in about 10 days.

Friday’s lengthy session mirrored the long and winding road of the Kilmartin case as a whole. The former Windham man was arrested in 2014 after investigators said he told people he met in suicide chat rooms on the internet that he would sell them cyanide which they could use to take their lives

Instead, he sent them Epsom salts. But one man, Andrew Denton of Hull, England, got angry at the ruse and threatened to expose the fraud.

So Kilmartin sent Denton real cyanide, and the Englishman took it to kill himself.

Kilmartin was convicted in October 2016 by a federal jury of mailing injurious articles after a weeklong trial.

His trial was marked by lengthy delays as lawyers argued over Kilmartin’s competence to stand trial and wrestled with a couple of unusual situations. For instance, Kilmartin pleaded guilty to nine of the 15 counts against him, mainly mail and wire fraud counts, for the cases in which he sent buyers Epsom salts. But he went to trial with the unusual charge of mailing injurious articles resulting in death, a 100-year-old statute that is rarely used. His lawyers also originally sought to have him declared incompetent to stand trial, which led to further delays

At the outset of Friday’s hearing, Woodcock had to decide what penalty Kilmartin could face. Because the injury resulted in death, Woodcock ruled, it was tantamount to murder, so Kilmartin will face a maximum penalty of life in prison. He also ruled that Kilmartin could be subject to a longer sentence because he preyed on vulnerable people and obstructed justice by trying to get Denton to destroy evidence of their correspondence before he sent him the fatal cyanide dose, Also on Friday, Kilmartin’s mental health was an issue again, as his attorney, Bruce Merrill, sought to persuade Woodcock that his client’s mental illnesses warranted a lesser sentence.

Dr. Carlyle Voss, a psychiatrist, spent more than an hour and a half on the stand, going over three interviews he conducted with Kilmartin, the last in January. He concluded that Kilmartin had serious mental disorders marked by bouts of depression and manic times. But he conceded that he and other psychiatrists had concluded that Kilmartin was competent to stand trial and knew right from wrong.

Friday’s hearing ended before prosecutors and defense lawyers could lay out their specific sentencing requests for Kilmartin

In court filings, Merrill said he is seeking a sentence for his client of no more than 10 years, with three years of supervised release and requirements that Kilmartin attend counseling and get psychiatric and substance abuse counseling.

Woodcock said scheduling the rest of the sentencing hearing will have to be worked out with the court clerk’s office. But he said he expects to be off much of next week and suggested it might be held the week of May 7-11.

John Williams, suspected of killing a policeman, was arrested early Saturday afternoon in a wooded area of Fairfield, ending a nationwide manhunt that lasted four days and involved some 200 officers from multiple jurisdictions.

Williams, who is accused of shooting Somerset County Sheriff’s Cpl. Eugene Cole fatally early Wednesday morning in Norridgewock, was taken into custody just after 12:30 p.m. in the area of 807 Norridgewock Road, also known as Route 139, in Fairfield.

Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said simply in a statement at 12:55 p.m.: “Manhunt over.”

“Today is a very good day,” Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster told reporters at 4 p.m. Saturday. “My first call was to the Cole family and I personally notified them of the arrest. They were relieved, thankful and very grateful. At this point the manhunt is done.

“Tonight the citizens of Somerset County can sleep well and know that a dangerous man has been taken off the streets.”

Around 12:45 p.m., Williams — shirtless, barefoot and with his chest and arm tattoos clearly visible — could be seen being taken out of a wooded area by police behind a red, cape-style house. Williams appeared exhausted, his bearded face appearing dirty or scraped from days on the run. He was given a yellow blanket to cover himself from the waist down. Then he was put into the back seat of an unmarked state police vehicle with detectives and driven away.

Geoffrey Reynolds, the owner of the home behind which Williams was arrested Saturday, walked slowly to the road as the dramatic events unfolded. He said he had to get back to this job and that he had come home for lunch Saturday and saw all the police activity.

He said police had been to the woods and fields behind his home a couple of times during the manhunt, including once earlier Saturday morning.

“They said they got him,” said Reynolds, 63. “They were here yesterday and checked everything out and those old buildings that are out there, camps and stuff, and said there was nobody around.”

Less than an hour earlier, police held a news conference in Norridgewock and said the day’s search efforts would continue in the area of Martin Stream Road in Norridgewock, where Williams was believed to have fled on foot after abandoning the police cruiser he stole after shooting Cole.

About 200 searchers from local, county, state and federal agencies have been looking for Williams, 29, in thick woods since Wednesday. Police said they have been slowly and methodically searching buildings and the heavy woods where Williams was to believed to have been hiding.

BREAKING: Video of the moment police took suspect John Williams into custody in Fairfield – @DWLODKOWSKI; pic.twitter.com/jzUycF1X9B

;
— NEWS CENTER Maine (@newscentermaine) April 28, 2018

Speaking at a briefing Saturday at the Norridgewock Fire Station, police said they had received 13 calls from the public overnight about possible suspicious activity related to Williams’ whereabouts and hundreds of calls in response to the $20,000 reward offered by the FBI for information leading to Williams’ arrest.

Police also read a letter from Cole’s wife, urging Williams to turn himself in and assuring him he would be treated with dignity and respect — as her husband would have treated him — if he did so.

Police issued an emergency “signal 1000” over the radio about 12:35 p.m. Saturday, meaning that all other radio transmissions should stop. A minute or so later, a police officer declared over the radio that he was “10-46,” police code for having someone in custody.

“Is it the target?” another police officer asked over the air. “It is the target,” was the reply, meaning they had Williams, the fugitive, in custody.

Moments later police vehicles — their blue lights flashing — sped around the hard corner at Cumberland Farms in Norridgewock, coming from the command center near the state police barracks in Skowhegan, and raced up Route 139 — called Waterville Road in Norridgewock — going toward Waterville.

Williams was taken out the woods by state police detectives, their arms hooked under Williams’ armpits and on his biceps. Dozens of law enforcement personnel were at the scene, as road traffic was halted in both directions, 4 miles from the Norridgewock Cumberland Farms store that police said Williams tried to rob after he stole Cole’s cruiser early Wednesday morning.

The Maine Association of Police later tweeted that authorities had arrested Williams using Cpl. Eugene Cole’s own handcuffs.

“We did use Cpl. Cole’s handcuffs,” Lancaster said during a final briefing on the manhunt Saturday afternoon. “I thought that it was fitting, where he killed my deputy — Cpl. Gene Cole — and he was brought to justice using Cole’s handcuffs.”

Lt. John Cote, currently the second in command at state police and soon to be sworn in as colonel and chief of the Maine State Police, said Williams was found in an area known as Lost Brook, between Martin Stream Road and Route 139. He said Williams exerted “limited resistance.”

The seven-man capture team included game wardens, state police, Fairfield police and the FBI.

Cote would not say whether Williams was armed. He said charges will be brought through the Office of the Maine Attorney General and a court date will be scheduled soon for Williams’ initial appearance. He said Williams was taken to the Waterville Police Department for questioning after being checked medically by emergency medical services and then would be transferred to the state correctional center in Windham pending his first court appearance.

This photo taken by Maine State Police on Saturday, April 28, 2018, shows the moment when law enforcement apprehended John Williams, sought in the slaying of Somerset County Sheriff’s Cpl. Eugene Cole. This photo appeared on Reddit, and Maine State Police confirmed Saturday that they took the photo.

A widely circulated photograph of Williams’ head being raised from the ground was taken by the arrest team to confirm Williams’ identity as the man they had been looking for, Cote said, because Williams was not cooperating in having his picture taken.

“The suspect would not facilitate in displaying his face for that photograph to be taken so we had to facilitate that,” he said.

Lancaster said Cpl. Eugene Cole was part of the community he served and will be sorely missed.

“He was an outstanding officer. He really epitomized community policing before there was community policing,” Lancaster said of Cole. “Part of the outpour that we’ve had in this community is because of Gene’s interaction with the people here. He was part of this community. He was their deputy sheriff.”

Orrin Moody, 31, who lives near where Williams was apprehended, said he has three children and is glad the ordeal is over.

“I was just sitting there watching TV and seen all the cops and I said, ‘Whoa, what’s going on?’ and I looked out my window and saw everybody right across the street,” Moody said. “I was pretty surprised, you know. It’s kind of scary, very close to home. Holy cow! Actually finding out he was right there — I got little kids. Very scary. I think he deserves what’s coming. What he did was way wrong.”

Portland Press Press Herald staff writer Beth Quimby contributed reporting.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow