IN AUGUSTA, Monday at 6:06 a.m., simple assault was reported on Winthrop Street.

8:27 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Winthrop Street.

8:44 a.m., criminal trespass was reported on Crossing Way.

12:35 p.m., needles were recovered on North Chestnut Street.

12:56 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Cedar Street.

1:12 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Mount Vernon Avenue.

1:32 p.m., needles were recovered on North Chestnut Street.

5:59 p.m., criminal mischief was reported on Piggery Road.

6:12 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported at the intersection of Eastern Avenue and Togus Stream Road.

6:58 p.m., a past burglary was reported on Old Belgrade Road.

7:11 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Cony Street.

7:16 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Willow Street.

7:48 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Water Street.

8:13 p.m., harassment was reported on Mud Mill Road.

8:17 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Water Street.

10:53 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on Windsor Avenue.

11:39 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Crossing Way.

11:46 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on South Chestnut Street.

Tuesday at 12:37 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Western Avenue.

2:38 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Western Avenue.

IN MONMOUTH, Monday at 6:47 p.m., harassment was reported on Route 135.

ARRESTS

IN AUGUSTA, Monday at 2:35 p.m., Stacy M. Haskell, 37, of Augusta, was arrested at Kennebec County jail and charged with failure to appear.

3:22 p.m., Jessica L. Pooler, 31, of Benton, was arrested on Winthrop Street on warrants.

6:11 p.m., Joshua Michael Roderick, 30, of Randolph, was arrested at the intersection of Laurel and State streets, and charged with theft, operating while license suspended or revoked and operating under the influence.

8:47 p.m., Gerard Roland Cormier, 35, of Augusta, was arrested on a warrant, and charged with unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and sale and use of drug paraphernalia. Gerald Richard Sounier, 42, of Augusta, was arrested on a warrant, and charged with refusing to submit to arrest or detention, violating a condition of release, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and fugitive from justice, following an incident outside Big Apple on Stone Street. Additional information was not immediately available from police.

The state’s highest court overturned the six-month suspension of a Saco attorney Tuesday, saying a stronger penalty is needed in response to credible allegations that the lawyer had sexual contact with a vulnerable female client who temporarily moved into his apartment in 2016.

The decision regarding embattled attorney Gary Prolman was the result of an appeal to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court by the Board of Overseers of the Bar, the professional licensing and disciplinary body for Maine lawyers. The board argued that Prolman should have been disbarred for his conduct.

Although the Supreme Judicial Court did not disbar Prolman and has not specified what penalty should now be imposed, the justices unanimously agreed that Prolman will have to reapply for admission to the Maine bar after he demonstrates that he understands the ethical obligations of a Maine attorney. He has already served his original six-month suspension, which ended May 1.

“We all agree that the sanctions imposed were simply insufficient and represent an abuse of discretion,” six justices wrote in the unanimous part of their decision.

But the justices split evenly on why they agreed, meaning that although the decision sets a path forward in Prolman’s case, its implications for future cases of alleged attorney misconduct are not clear.

This is the second disciplinary proceeding for Prolman, who was indicted in 2012 on a federal money-laundering charge and at the time was suspended indefinitely from practicing law. He eventually pleaded guilty and served nine months in a federal penitentiary in Pennsylvania in 2015 after being sentenced to two years. He concluded his sentence in stages, first at a halfway house and then in home confinement, and after his release he applied for and was granted reinstatement to the bar on July 1, 2016.

Absent from the decision Tuesday was Associate Justice Donald G. Alexander, who handed down the six-month suspension that was the subject of the appeal. In Maine, attorney disciplinary hearings are initially conducted before a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, with appeals going before the remaining six justices.

The decision does not spell out exactly what punishment is warranted, but stipulates that part of the sanction will require Prolman to petition for his license to practice law, which is required in cases where an attorney is suspended for more than six months, raising the prospect of additional suspension time.

Jacqueline M. Rogers, executive director of the Overseers of the Bar, said she is pleased with the decision, although the next step in Prolman’s case is not clear.

“I think the decision speaks for itself that it’s very unusual,” Rogers said. “Abuse of discretion is just a hard thing to prove, so I’d say yes, absolutely, it was an uphill climb for us, but we’re pleased where we are at this stage of the case.”

Prolman’s attorney, James Bowie, could not be reached for comment.

According to bar rules, the petition for readmission requires in part that Prolman recognize the wrongfulness and seriousness of his misconduct, not engage in new misconduct, not attempt to practice law without a license, and continue to possess the required honesty and integrity required to practice law.

In their concurring opinion, Justices Joseph M. Jabar, Andrew M. Mead and Jeffrey L. Hjelm wrote that Alexander failed to properly apply guidelines for attorney discipline set out by the American Bar Association, which are referenced in the Maine bar rules.

But Chief Justice Leigh Saufley, Justice Ellen A. Gorman and Justice Thomas E. Humphrey made a simpler, rarer argument: that the lower court – in this case their colleague, Alexander – acted outside the bounds of its discretion.

“All that needs to be said is this: When an attorney has been sentenced to federal prison for using his legal talents to commit serious crimes, and upon reinstatement to the Bar engages in behavior that is as abhorrent to the profession, including taking sexual advantage of a client he knew to have been the victim of sex-trafficking, a six-month suspension, requiring no demonstration of rehabilitation in order to return to the practice of law, is plainly and compellingly insufficient,” Saufley, Gorman and Humphrey wrote.

The allegations of sexual misconduct involve a woman who contacted Prolman in late 2016. Prolman represented her in two court matters – an outstanding warrant in Florida, and an attempt to end her probation early in Maine – both of which he successfully resolved.

She then asked for assistance in a third case. The woman, who is not named in the court decision, was the victim of sex trafficking in Massachusetts, and a man there was scheduled to be tried on related charges. She asked Prolman to help her avoid testifying in that case so she could put her history of victimization and sex trafficking behind her, the justices wrote.

Around the same time in March 2017, the client’s live-in boyfriend brutally assaulted her and attempted to strangle her, breaking bones in her face and leaving marks on her throat. The boyfriend was arrested, but when he was to be released on bail, police sought a new place for the woman to live and contacted Prolman, who offered to let her stay in an apartment above his law office.

But Prolman omitted that he, too, lived in the three-bedroom unit.

When she moved in, Prolman bought the woman a cellphone and arranged for her to get a job as a waitress. But he also on multiple occasions approached her for sexual gratification and engaged in sexual acts with the woman, the court found.

“Although she did not consent, she also did not communicate her objection to Prolman’s sexual acts, simply submitting to what Prolman demanded as she had done in past relationships with men who had taken advantage of her vulnerability,” the court wrote in its unanimous opinion.

Matt Byrne can be contacted at 791-6303 or at:

mbyrne@pressherald.com

Twitter: MattByrnePPH

A Vinalhaven man has been convicted in federal court of making repeated threats to an employee of the Swedish Embassy in Washington, D.C.

A jury reached a swift verdict in a one-day trial in U.S. District Court in Portland on Monday. Court documents show Eric Malmstrom, 40, was found guilty of three counts of transmitting threatening interstate communications.

Court records said Malmstrom, who is of Swedish descent and had visited the country, repeatedly called the embassy, sometimes as many as 10 times in a day.

In the calls, he would threaten to attack the staff and their children. He also threatened to attack King Carl XVI Gustaf with a knife, according to court records.

“Threats made against public officials, whether those of the United States or of foreign governments serving their citizens in this country, cannot be taken lightly,” U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank said in a statement Tuesday. “People who make such threats should expect to be caught, charged and prosecuted.”

Court documents show Malmstrom placed hundreds of calls to the Swedish Embassy and the individual employee between September 2017 and March 2018. The evidence at trial showed that on three occasions this year, he threatened to slit the employee’s throat. He was arrested in March on a warrant issued at the request of the U.S. Secret Service.

The investigation involved both federal and local agencies.

“The Diplomatic Security Service is firmly committed to ensuring the safety and security of foreign diplomats in the United States,” said Bart Brown, director of the agency’s Office of Protective Intelligence Investigation. “This case is the result of a joint DSS investigation with the U.S. Secret Service and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department.”

Malmstrom faces up to five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and up to three years of supervised release. He has not yet been sentenced.

Biddeford police continue to investigate the theft of a sign at the newly renovated Waterhouse Field.

Thieves made off with orange letters spelling out “Tiger Pride” that hung on the press box of the stadium, which is scheduled to open this week after a massive community effort to renovate the historic field. Police say they have identified suspects, but declined to release any other information because of the investigation.

The sign was taken off the press box sometime last Thursday night after volunteers put finishing touches on the 18-month renovation of the athletic facility. School officials valued the sign at over $1,000.

Pieces of the sign have been recovered but are unusable, say school officials. A new sign has been ordered and is expected to arrive before an opening celebration scheduled for Sept. 7. The first field hockey game of the season at Waterhouse Field will be held Friday.

The project included a new turf field, bleachers, a press box, lights and groundwork. Much of the project was done with funding, supplies and labor donated by the community.

WINTHROP — A Winthrop High School student was removed from the first day of school on Wednesday after allegedly sending a threatening message on social media, according to school officials.

The student allegedly sent a message on Instagram “within the last 24 hours that was deemed to be of a threatening nature,” said Cornelia Brown, interim superintendent of the Winthrop School Department, in an email that she sent at 10:35 a.m. and forwarded to the Kennebec Journal.

Brown did not describe the content of the student’s message, which high school officials discovered on Wednesday.

“The administration immediately contacted the Winthrop Police Department, who in consultation with the District Attorney’s office, charged the student” with terrorizing, Brown said. “The student was removed from the High School campus by his parents.”

Winthrop Police Chief Ryan Frost did not immediately respond to a phone call seeking information.

This story will be updated.

Charles Eichacker — 621-5642

ceichacker@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @ceichacker

AUGUSTA — An Augusta man was arrested on five charges, including two counts of unlawful trafficking of heroin and cocaine, during a traffic stop early Wednesday morning.

Randy Dennison, 26, was arrested at 12:56 a.m., after being pulled over near Eastern Avenue and Stone Street.

He was also charged with theft, violating his conditions of release and criminal forfeiture of property, according to police reports.

Dennison is in custody at the Kennebec County jail.

This story will be updated.

Sam Shepherd — 621-5666

sshepherd@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @SamShepME

IN AUGUSTA, on Tuesday at 9:35 a.m., a Crossing Way caller reported suspicious activity.

At 11:04 a.m., a Bangor Street caller reported suspicious activity.

At 11:15 a.m., a Winthrop Street caller reported a wild animal problem.

At 11:40 a.m., a Mud Mill Road caller reported traffic complaints.

At 11:52 a.m., a Page Street caller reported suspicious activity.

At noon, a disturbance was reported near Western Avenue and Crossing Way.

At 12:46 p.m., police investigated a reported trespassing on Boothby Street.

At 12:54 p.m., police investigated harassment reported by a Union Street caller.

At 2:45 p.m., police checked a building after suspicious activity was reported by an Eastern Avenue caller.

At 3:19 p.m., police investigated a report of shoplifting on Stephen King Drive.

At 4:28 p.m., police investigated a reported domestic disturbance on Cony Road.

At 5:38 p.m., an animal complaint was reported by a Stephen King Drive caller.

At 5:52 p.m., a Stephen King Drive caller reported suspicious activity.

At 6:22 p.m., a Water Street caller reported trespassing.

At 6:49 p.m., police investigated harassment reported on Franklin Street.

At 7:20 p.m., police investigated suspicious activity reported on Green Street.

At 7:26 p.m., a Hospital Street caller reported a disturbance.

At 8:45 p.m., a disturbance was reported by a Bridge Street caller.

At 9:01 p.m., a Cony Street caller reported suspicious activity.

At 10:14 p.m., an Edison Drive caller reported a disturbance.

At 11:16 p.m., officers investigated an assault reported by a Medical Center Parkway caller.

At midnight, a Cony Road caller reported suspicious activity.

On Wednesday, at 12:11 a.m., a Bridge Street caller reported suspicious activity.

At 4:26 a.m., a Winter Street caller reported suspicious activity.

IN GARDINER, on Tuesday at 3:06 p.m., a Northern Avenue caller reported harassment.

At 8:10 p.m., police investigated a reported assault on Bridge Street.

IN MONMOUTH, on Tuesday at 2:23 p.m., a Fox Run Lane caller reported a burglary.

Arrests

IN AUGUSTA, Tuesday at 6:07 p.m., Adam Flaherty, 21, of Augusta, was arrested on charges of assault and disorderly conduct following a reported assault on State Street,

IN BELGRADE, on Tuesday at 9:59 a.m., Amber Swift, 34, of Belgrade, was arrested on Red Oaks Lodge Road after violating conditions of her release.

Summons

IN AUGUSTA, on Tuesday at 12:43 p.m., Robin Sheehan, 62, of Augusta, was summonsed on a charge of theft after police investigated a report of shoplifting on Civic Center Drive.

At 5:44 p.m., Jessica Symonds, 32, of Winthrop, and Jonathan Hanson, 42, of Winthrop, were both summonsed on a charge of theft of property under $500 following a reported theft on Civic Center Drive.

At 8:29 p.m., Nathaniel Mullens, 45, of Augusta, was summonsed for operating a motor vehicle beyond class restriction following a traffic stop near State Street and Memorial Circle.

At 10:42 p.m., Matthew Lovejoy, 18, of Augusta, was summonsed on charges of theft of property under $500 and possession of alcohol by a minor after a follow-up investigation on Glenridge Drive.

IN ANSON, Tuesday at 2:38 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Willow Street.

8:09 p.m., a warning was issued after a report of a disturbance on Church Street.

11:15 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Oak Street.

Wednesday at 12:03 a.m., a disturbance was reported on Church Street.

6:46 a.m., criminal mischief was reported on Valley Road.

IN CANAAN, Tuesday at 7:40 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Battle Ridge Road.

8:43 p.m., police made an arrest on Main Street.

IN CLINTON, Tuesday at 8:25 a.m., criminal mischief was reported on Mutton Lane.

11:27 a.m., threatening was reported on Horseback Road.

1:04 p.m., a domestic dispute was reported on Horseback Road.

10:48 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Main Street.

11 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Hinckley Road.

IN FAIRFIELD, Tuesday at 1:49 a.m., a report of a disturbance was investigated on Skowhegan Road.

9:38 a.m., police made an arrest after a report of a disturbance on High Street.

9:54 a.m., a burglary of a motor vehicle was reported on High Street.

11:55 a.m., fire units were sent to conduct a smoke investigation on Faiths Way.

12:11 p.m., a call for police information was taken from Lawrence Avenue.

5:10 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Newhall Street.

6:55 p.m., a disturbance was reported on McKenzie Avenue.

8:48 p.m., threatening was reported on Summit Street.

9:44 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Blackberry Lane.

IN FARMINGTON, Tuesday at 11:11 a.m., trespassing was reported on Farmington Falls Road.

1:10 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at Farmington Falls Road and Evergreen Lane.

IN HARTLAND, Tuesday at 1:55 p.m., police made an arrest following a report of a disturbance on Academy Street.

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

IN JAY, Tuesday at 8:26 a.m., theft or fraud was reported on Main Street.

IN KINGFIELD, Tuesday at 7:05 a.m., theft was reported on Depot Street.

IN LEXINGTON TOWNSHIP, Wednesday at 8:30 a.m., a structure fire was reported on Back Road.

IN NEW SHARON, Tuesday at 9:01 p.m., disturbance was reported on Main Street.

IN NEW VINEYARD, Tuesday at 11:38 p.m., threatening was reported on New Vineyard Road.

IN OAKLAND, Tuesday at 8:55 a.m., noise was reported on Andrew Terrace.

IN PITTSFIELD, Tuesday at 10:12 a.m., a harassment complaint was taken from Canaan Road.

10:29 a.m., police were called to assist another agency on Cardinal Street.

8:26 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Hamilton Terrace.

IN RANGELEY, Tuesday at 4:42 p.m., noise was reported on Rachel Lane.

IN SKOWHEGAN, Tuesday at 2:12 a.m., a canine search was initiated on Dartmouth Street.

3:26 a.m., police tried to find a person on Dartmouth Street.

5:31 a.m., a bad check was passed on Heselton Street.

9:05 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on McClellan Street.

11:30 a.m., police made an arrest during a traffic stop on Madison Avenue.

11:51 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Commerce Drive.

12:23 p.m., police tried to find a person on Pleasant Street.

2 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Dartmouth Street.

2:33 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Dartmouth Street.

2:42 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Waterville Road.

11:51 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on McClellan Street.

Wednesday at 12:06 a.m., a harassment complaint was taken from Water Street.

8:53 a.m., trespassing was reported on North Avenue.

IN STRONG, Tuesday at 6:20 p.m., disturbance was reported on West Freeman Road.

IN TEMPLE, Tuesday at 9:42 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Temple Road.

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

IN WATERVILLE, Tuesday at 9:35 a.m., criminal trespassing was reported on College Avenue.

6:01 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Waterville Commons Drive.

6:12 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Waterville Commons Drive.

Wednesday at 2:06 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Elm Street.

2:09 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Ticonic Street.

IN WILTON, Tuesday at 3:20 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on High Street.

8:12 p.m., disturbance was reported on Depot Street.

IN WINSLOW, Tuesday at 7:04 a.m., suspicious activity was reported on Emily’s Way.

10:58 a.m., burglary was reported on Helen Street.

1:34 p.m., criminal mischief was reported on Halifax Street.

2:25 p.m., burglary was reported on Clinton Avenue.

6:46 p.m., a report of a domestic dispute led to an arrest on Halifax Street.

7:52 p.m., theft was reported on Millenium Drive.

9:17 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Benton Avenue.

ARRESTS

IN SOMERSET COUNTY, Tuesday at 1:26 a.m., Sean Gregory Albert, 35, of Skowhegan, was arrested on a charge of violating conditions of release.

7:11 a.m., Tyler Elroy Huff, 27, of St. Albans, was arrested on two warrants.

11:24 a.m., Jesse Lee Baker, 35, of Fairfield, was arrested on a warrant for unpaid fines or fees.

12:24 p.m., Heather Ann Brown, 37, of Fairfield, was arrested on a charge of domestic violence assault, with prior convictions.

9:20 p.m., Douglas Ralph Wyman, 37, of Canaan, was arrested on 19 outstanding warrants.

Wednesday at 7:53 a.m., Michael Mahlon Ledger, 40, of Norridgewock, was arrested on three counts of refusing to sign a summons.

A Brunswick man faces arson charges after allegedly setting a series of fires in town, after police say they caught him in the act of setting one.

David J. Burch, 41, is charged with arson, aggravated reckless conduct, aggravated criminal mischief, refusing to submit to arrest or detention and failing to control or report a dangerous fire.

Throughout Monday afternoon, Brunswick firefighters were busy dousing a series of small fires near businesses, trails and railroad tracks along Bath Road.

Just before 3 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a trail in Cook’s Corner between Walmart and Regal Cinemas, where a pile of trash and a tree were on fire.

An hour and a half later, they went to Merrymeeting Plaza at 147 Bath Road, where a dumpster was on fire behind Shaw’s, according to Brunswick fire Chief Ken Brillant.

Less than an hour after extinguishing that fire, firefighters had to douse a fire started on a pile of pallets near the PetSmart loading dock.

While putting out that blaze, a nearby Autometrics employee called dispatchers to report some debris and a tire on fire on the train tracks behind the shop at 121 Bath Road.

“To me, it sounded like we had someone making their way down the railroad tracks setting fires so we had the police department respond to the area,” Brillant said.

Following a search of the area, police eventually found Burch near Jordan Avenue, Brunswick police Cmdr. Tom Garrepy said this morning.

“As officers approached, he crouched down on the side of the woods and the officers observed him starting another fire,” Garrepy said.

Burch ignored orders from officers to stop and tried to walk away from police, according to Garrepy.

“Mr. Burch was acting very suspicious. He was refusing commands, so he was taken to the ground. He was secured in handcuffs at which point officers went back and extinguished the fire using dirt,” Garrepy said.

Police say the fires didn’t cause any major damage.

Burch’s bail was set at $5,000 cash and he was taken to Cumberland County Jail in Portland. He is scheduled to appear in Cumberland County Superior Court on Nov. 20.

AUBURN — A 72-year-old Army veteran is suing the Auburn Police Department for civil rights violations and use of excessive force, which he claims led to serious injuries that required heart surgery.

The complaint, filed July 23 in U.S. District Court, claims Auburn police wrongfully arrested and injured Ronald Deschaine outside his home at 72 James St. when he approached officers who were investigating his neighbor.

Deschaine claimed that as the investigation unfolded, he was speaking to a police officer who was seated in a cruiser, the third to arrive.

According to the lawsuit, the officer told Deschaine to step away from the vehicle, at which point Officer John Chamberlain called out, “You are going to jail.”

Deschaine, who claimed he was afraid of Chamberlain, continued facing the unnamed officer’s cruiser and said, “You stay away from me,” at which point Chamberlain ran and tackled Deschaine from behind, “knocking him violently into the police cruiser,” according to the complaint.

The lawsuit claims the action “required immediate medical attention, including heart surgery.”

The lawsuit names Chamberlain, unknown officers, an unknown supervisor, former Auburn Police Chief Phil Crowell and the city of Auburn as defendants.

The claim alleges that after Deschaine was tackled, he was in severe pain and confused as Chamberlain attempted to place handcuffs on him, and Deschaine did not initially cooperate.

Deschaine claimed that another unnamed officer hit him with a baton and threatened to use a Taser on him, and that Deschaine suffered “significant lacerations and bruising” from the handcuffing.

According to the lawsuit, Deschaine was charged with refusal to submit to arrest, but no criminal charges were ultimately pursued by the Androscoggin County District Attorney’s Office.

In an emailed statement Tuesday, Auburn City Manager Peter Crichton said the Maine Municipal Association’s Legal Services Department is working on the lawsuit.

“At the same time, the (police) department is conducting an internal investigation on what took place to determine what action, if any, should be taken,” he said.

Crichton declined to comment further.

A spokesman for the Maine Municipal Association said an outside law firm, Drummond Woodsum, will be working on a response to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Deschaine worked a number of jobs after his military service and retired in 2007 “following a heart attack that left him in a weakened condition.”

The lawsuit claims he was not armed and not threatening anyone during the 2016 incident.

It also claims another police officer and an unnamed supervisor “took no steps to stop Chamberlain and (the first unnamed officer) from using excessive force against Deschaine.”

The lawsuit says Chamberlain was instructed by a police dispatcher to bring Deschaine to the hospital for care, and upon reaching the hospital, “Chamberlain initially refused to remove the handcuffs so that a doctor could examine him.”

It states, “Only reluctantly did Chamberlain finally remove one of the handcuffs.”

The lawsuit alleges that Crowell, the chief of police, failed to properly supervise and discipline Chamberlain for his actions, and claims Chamberlain had been involved in “numerous situations that have led to complaints being lodged about his excessive use of force.”

Deschaine is represented by lawyers Michael J. Waxman and William Maselli of Portland. Waxman did not respond Tuesday to a request for comment.

LIVERMORE — Maine State Police searched private property on Strickland Ferry Road on Monday looking for evidence that may lead to finding Kimberly Moreau of Jay.

Nothing was found, but Maine Department of Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland said, “We will be continuing our efforts to find Kim and bring her home.”

Moreau has been missing for 32 years. She was last seen at about 11 p.m. on May 10, 1986, at her parents’ home on Jewell Street in Jay. Moreau, who was 17 at the time, told an older sister and her husband that she was going for a ride and would be back in an hour. She never returned.

Moreau did not specify who she was leaving with and left her purse, clothes, and her car behind.

Leads have come in since Moreau’s disappearance and police have conducted numerous searches of different properties, including in Jay, Canton and Livermore Falls.

There is no date scheduled for police to return to the Livermore site, McCausland said.

Richard “Dick” Moreau, Kimberly’s father, said information was received through people who work with him to find missing persons.

The information has been verified and seems to be valid, he said.

The search was called off Monday because special equipment is needed.

The dirt road, located off River Road, leads down to the Androscoggin River.

The property owner gave permission for the search to be conducted, Richard Moreau said.

“We know the information is verified and it seems to be valuable. We can’t let this opportunity slip by,” he said.

Richard Moreau has kept up the search for his daughter and has said that he just wants to bring his daughter home and get closure.

Moreau’s disappearance is among the unsolved cold cases in Maine, and police have said they suspect foul play.

dperry@sunmediagroup.com

LEWISTON — Local and state police said a local woman was arrested Tuesday night on drug charges.

Officers from the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Maine State Police and the Lewiston Police Department arrested Elizabeth Yvonne Young after her car was stopped Tuesday night on the Maine Turnpike near Lewiston, according to a statement from Maine Public Safety spokesman Stephen McCausland. Her 6 Perley St. apartment also was searched, according to the statement.

Elizabeth Yvonne Young

The MDEA and Lewiston police have been investigating trafficking of prescription pills in the Lewiston area for the past year, according to the statement.

Police seized about 500 oxycodone pills worth about $20,000 from Young’s car and a handgun from her apartment, according to the statement. Young is prohibited from owning or possessing a gun based on a 2009 federal drug trafficking conviction.

Young is charged with two counts of aggravated trafficking in schedule drugs Class A with a prior conviction, two counts of aggravated importation of schedule drugs Class A with a prior conviction, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person Class C, according to the statement.

Young was taken to Androscoggin County Jail, and her bail was set at $75,000. Her initial court appearance was expected Wednesday afternoon in Lewiston.

Frank Barrett

Police have arrested a Massachusetts man and charged him with selling crack cocaine and fentanyl in Biddeford and Saco.

The Maine Drug Enforcement Agency says 44-year-old Frank Barrett of Hyde Park sold crack cocaine to undercover agents on several occasions. He was arrested Wednesday in the parking lot of the Hannaford supermarket in Biddeford.

Agents from the MDEA York County Task Force spent the past three months investigating Barrett for selling drugs in the Biddeford-Saco area, including in a school zone. When he was arrested, Barrett was carrying 10 grams of fentanyl, police said.

Barrett was charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (crack cocaine), a Class A felony. The aggravating factor was the sale of drugs in a school zone, police said. Bail was set at $15,000.

He also was charged with aggravated trafficking in Schedule W drugs (fentanyl). That charge was aggravated due to a 2012 felony drug conviction in Massachusetts. Bail for that charge was set at $10,000 cash.

Barrett was taken to York County Jail.

IN AUGUSTA, on Wednesday at 7:06 a.m., police investigated a report of suspicious activity on Green Street.

At 9:42 a.m., police investigated a report from a Gage Street caller of criminal trespassing.

At 9:43 a.m., police investigated a theft reported by a Summer Street caller.

At 11:48 a.m., a Medical Center Parkway caller reported an animal complaint.

At 12:03 p.m., police investigated an assault reported by a Glenridge Drive caller.

At 2:48 p.m., a Bridge Street caller reported harassment.

At 3:53 p.m., a loose dog was reported on South Belfast Avenue.

At 3:59 p.m., police investigated a hit-and-run on Northern Avenue.

At 4:28 p.m., a disturbance was reported by a Water Street caller.

At 5:41 p.m., another disturbance was reported by a Water Street caller.

At 6:14 p.m., a disturbance was reported by a Bangor Street caller.

At 8:05 p.m., a disturbance was reported near Northern Avenue and Washington Street.

IN GARDINER, on Wednesday at 12:28 p.m., police investigated a report from a Dresden Avenue caller about a lost wallet.

IN WINTHROP, on Wednesday at 4:44 p.m., police recovered property on Sturtevant Hill Road.

At 10:13 p.m., police received a report of unsecure premises on Rambler Road.

ARRESTS

IN AUGUSTA, on Wednesday at 11:50 a.m., Jacob Lorance, 29, of Litchfield, was arrested on a requested probation hold.

At 4:04 p.m., Lloyd Bowden, 59, of Augusta, was arrested on an outstanding warrant for criminal trespassing and charged with drinking in public, following a pedestrian check on Western Avenue.

At 4:59 p.m., Michael Snow, 31, of Vassalboro, and Michael Lovell, 22, of Augusta, were arrested following a traffic stop on Cony Street. Lovell was arrested on an outstanding warrant and a charge of violating conditions of his release. Snow was arrested on three outstanding warrants.

SUMMONS

IN AUGUSTA, on Wednesday at 10:11 a.m., Jonas Vallencourt, 28, of Gardiner, was summonsed for operating with a suspended license after a traffic accident on Western Avenue.

At 4:30 p.m., Erin Hickey, 28, of Augusta, was summonsed for theft of property under $500 after a theft was reported on Civic Center Drive.

At 9:36 p.m., Scott Shepherd, 56, of Winthrop, was summonsed for attaching false licenses plate, during a traffic stop near Riverside Drive and Route 3.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a report of an attempted kidnapping Wednesday night in Canaan.

The incident was reported at 8 p.m. Wednesday on Shady Lane.

A woman posted an alert regarding the incident on the Norridgewock Neighborhood Watch and Information page on Facebook, saying the family gave investigators a description of the car and a partial plate number “but the man is still out there somewhere probably looking for his next victim.”

“Parents be on the lookout for a man driving a gray Honda car,” the woman, who could not immediately be reached Thursday, said in the post. “He tried to kidnap my sister-in-laws son yesterday on Shady Lane in Canaan! He told him he would give him $30 to get in the car with him.

“Thankfully her son was smart enough to yell for my brother in law. Be aware of your surroundings and keep a close eye on your children and make sure your children know to never get in a stranger’s car and to scream and run if a stranger approaches them. Please share this especially if you live in the Canaan/Skowhegan area, this man could be anywhere and he’s not the only sick psycho out there.”

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said in an email to the Morning Sentinel that deputies responded to a 911 call reporting the incident and that a “pre-teen male had told his step-father that a guy stopped and asked him if he wanted money.”

“No attempt was made to get the young man into any vehicle,” Lancaster said. “When asked, the young man was unable to give a definitive description of the vehicle. The young man told his step-father, who told the mother. The mother called 911.”

The sheriff said he can confirm that originally it was reported to be a silver vehicle, but the boy could not identify the make or model.

“The vehicle was then described as a small black sporty car,” Lancaster said. “The deputies were given a partial plate number, they ran several possible configurations without success. The deputies searched the area and parking lots without success.”

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow

A Wiscasset woman has waived her right to a jury trial on a charge of killing a 4-year-old girl in her care.

The legal fate of Shawna Gatto, 43, now rests solely with Superior Court Justice William Stokes. She has pleaded not guilty to depraved indifference murder. That charge alleges that whether or not she intended to cause the child’s death, she acted with depraved indifference to the value of human life.

Kendall Chick died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen, and also had suffered from prior abuse and neglect, police say. Her death Dec. 8 was one of two in Maine last winter that were blamed on child abuse, prompting an investigation by the Legislature and calls to overhaul the state’s child protection system. The case comes amid a startling increase in confirmed cases of physical abuse of Maine children – 52 percent from 2008 to 2016.

Gatto appeared Thursday morning at the Knox County courthouse for a hearing on several motions in her case.

Stokes granted her request to waive her right to a jury trial and tentatively set the bench trial for January. Philip Cohen, who is representing Gatto along with attorney Jeremy Pratt, declined to comment on her decision.

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services had placed Kendall with Stephen Hood, her paternal grandfather, and Gatto, his fiancée. Gatto told police she had been caring for the little girl the day she was found unresponsive in a bathtub, and police said they found bloodstains in multiple places in the home. Gatto has been in jail since she was charged in December.

Stokes will review the DHHS records in Kendall’s case and decide whether to release them to the attorneys. He will also review audio and video recordings of interviews with Gatto that took place before she was arrested. Gatto’s attorneys filed a motion to suppress statements she made in those conversations with two different investigators. Both sides will also file briefs to explain their arguments on that motion, and a decision from the judge is not expected until at least September.

Recordings or transcripts of those statements are not available as part of the public case file. Cohen declined to go into detail about the interviews, but he did say they did not include a confession of any kind by Gatto.

“By no means are we saying she said anything incriminating,” he said.

This story will be updated.

AUGUSTA — A Gardiner man pleaded guilty Thursday to a home invasion in which people allegedly were held at gunpoint by a co-defendant who demanded the return of a safe containing his drugs and money.

Scott E. York, 42, was sentenced to 20 months in prison for his conviction on the burglary and criminal threatening charges stemming from a Jan. 13 incident on Highland Avenue in Gardiner. He also was ordered to serve a concurrent 22-month probation revocation on a felony reckless conduct conviction.

During Thursday’s hearing at the Capital Judicial Center, Assistant District Attorney Tracy DeVoll said York entered an apartment without permission and stood in a doorway to block the occupants from leaving. DeVoll said York handed a gun — which later was found to be a BB gun — to Edward Lawrence, 25, of Gardiner and formerly of New York, who used it to threaten the occupants.

One of those occupants managed to get a message to a friend to call police.

While Lawrence was arrested immediately, York was identified later as the person who had accompanied Lawrence.

York’s defense attorney, Lisa Whittier, supported the sentence recommendation, telling Justice Donald Marden, “I believe that this is a fair resolution to the case.”

York was arrested Aug. 11 by a Maine State Tactical Team after he allegedly made threats he was going to kill police officers if they tried to apprehend him. He was found hiding in a garage on Ferry Road in Chelsea and was arrested without incident, according to police.

In exchange for the pleas, the state dismissed a charge of criminal restraint.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

IN ANSON, Wednesday at 2:21 p.m., court paperwork was served on Willow Street.

IN AVON, Wednesday at 9:35 a.m., an animal complaint was reported on Billy Jim Smith Road.

IN BINGHAM, Wednesday at 12:32 p.m., a bad check reportedly was passed on Main Street.

10:24 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Sidney Street.

IN CANAAN, Wednesday at 1:15 p.m., a bridge was reported closed on Hartland Road.

3:06 p.m., threatening was reported on Mud Run.

8 p.m., an attempted kidnapping was reported on Shady Lane.

IN CARRABASSETT VALLEY, Wednesday at 12:30 a.m., police responded to an alarm on Clark Street.

7:34 a.m. police responded to an alarm on Fir Avenue.

IN CARTHAGE, Wednesday at 4:06 p.m., threatening was reported on Carthage Road.

IN CLINTON, Wednesday at 12:07 p.m., police were called to assist another agency at the police station.

IN FAIRFIELD, Wednesday at 12:29 p.m., a harassment complaint was taken from Burrill Street.

2:47 p.m., a scam complaint was taken from Martin Stream Road.

IN FARMINGTON, Wednesday at 9:18 a.m., an animal complaint was made on Hannaford Drive.

9:49 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire alarm on High Street.

9:57 a.m., harassment was reported on Industry Road.

10:10 a.m., police responded to an alarm on Broadway.

10:30 a.m., suspicious activity was reported at High Street and Franklin Avenue.

11:54 a.m., an animal complaint was made on Hannaford Drive.

3:20 p.m., an animal complaint was made on Wilton Road.

Thursday at 6:39 a.m., police were called to assist another agency on Lucy Knowles Road.

7:54 a.m., an animal complaint was made on Webster Road.

IN FREEMAN TOWNSHIP, Wednesday at 11:34 a.m., police were called to assist another agency on Foster Hill Road.

7:12 p.m. firefighters responded to a report of a tree fire and lines down on Foster Hill Road.

IN JAY, at 2:20 p.m. theft by fraud was reported on Main Street.

8:44 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at Osgood and Franklin roads.

IN KINGFIELD, Wednesday at 11:58 p.m., a tree fire with lines down was reported.

Thursday at 1:56 a.m. an alarm was responded to on Main Street.

IN NEW VINEYARD, Wednesday at 12:12 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on New Vineyard Road.

IN OAKLAND, Wednesday at 7:31 a.m., a noise complaint was taken from Oak Street.

8:50 a.m., police investigated a report of a burglar alarm on Evergreen Drive.

10:37 a.m., a burglary was reported on Pleasant Street.

9:39 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Water Street.

IN PALMYRA, Wednesday at 12:05 p.m., a complaint was investigated on Fletcher Drive.

IN PITTSFIELD, Wednesday at 10:20 a.m., police were called to assist a motorist on Interstate 95.

IN ROCKWOOD, Wednesday at 11:21 a.m., police made an arrest on Maynard Road.

IN SKOWHEGAN, Wednesday at 12:03 p.m., a complaint about threatening was taken from Madison Avenue.

12:17 p.m., a bad check reportedly was passed on Heselton Street.

1:14 p.m., a burglar alarm was reported at Southgate Parkway.

3:03 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported on North Avenue.

3:04 p.m., disorderly conduct was reported on North Avenue.

3:24 p.m., police returned to Dartmouth Street for information.

4:21 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Indian Ridge.

6:50 p.m., a violation of bail or of a protection order was reported on Blair Street.

7:04 p.m., a domestic disturbance was reported on Hanover Street.

8:34 p.m., a water-related complaint was taken from Madison Avenue.

10:25 p.m., police were called to assist another agency on Madison Avenue.

11:22 p.m., fire and explosion were reported on Malbons Mills Road.

Thursday at 12:08 a.m., an intoxicated person was reported on Alder Street.

1:43 a.m., police made an arrest following a theft report on Madison Avenue.

7:22 a.m., a harassment complaint was taken from Indian Ridge.

IN STARKS, Wednesday at 8:20 p.m., a fire from a lightning strike was reported on Anson Road. Starks, Anson and Madison fire units responded.

IN TEMPLE, at 2:19 p.m., and alarm was responded to on Varnum Pond Road.

IN THE FORKS, Wednesday at 4:35 p.m., a person was taken to the hospital after a report of a medical emergency on Lake Moxie Road.

IN WATERVILLE, Wednesday at 8:16 a.m., a theft was reported at a business on College Avenue.

10:49 a.m., an unwanted person was reported at a hotel on Main Street.

12:48 p.m., a harassment complaint was taken from a business on Temple Street.

1:36 p.m., a protection order was served on Silver Place.

3:41 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at a store on the Concourse.

4:14 p.m., a theft was reported at the homeless shelter on Colby Street.

5:20 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at a bank on Main Street.

6:34 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Gray Street.

7:28 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at a pizza place on Water Street.

7:36 p.m., a disturbance was reported on Poolers Park Way.

7:38 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Airport Road.

8:02 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Main Street.

8:14 p.m., suspicious activity was reported at a store on Summer Street.

8:23 p.m., a person was reported missing on Drummond Avenue.

9:10 p.m., police made a warrant arrest on Punky Lane.

11:29 p.m., police made an arrest during a traffic stop on Water Street.

11:31 p.m., police made an arrest on Gray Street.

IN WILTON, Wednesday at 12:40 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on eastern Avenue.

2:27 p.m., domestic disturbance was reported on Temple Road.

5:23 p.m., domestic disturbance was reported on Main Street.

IN WINSLOW, Wednesday at 9:07 a.m., police made an arrest during a traffic stop on outer China Road.

11:16 a.m., a domestic dispute was reported on Poplar Street.

3:18 p.m., threatening was reported on Augusta Road.

4:01 p.m., threatening was reported on Halifax Street.

6:20 p.m., a person requested a police escort on Cone Street.

7:46 p.m., suspicious activity was reported on Benton Avenue.

8:56 p.m., fire units were sent in response to a call on Clinton Avenue.

ARRESTS

IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tuesday at 7:20 a.m., Robert M. Stottlemyer, 55, of Wilton, was arrested on charges of failure to stop, remain, render aid, personal injury and operating while license suspended or revoked.

Wednesday at 11:45 a.m., Frank Gerald Moody Jr., 39, of Phillips, was arrested on charges of operating under the influence and operating while license suspended or revoked, with a prior conviction.

18:54 p.m., Darryl Paul Streeper Jr., 30, of Rumford, was arrested on a charge of violating a protective order.

IN SOMERSET COUNTY, Wednesday at 9:58 a.m., Cotey Lee Wheeler, 24, of Cornville, was arrested on a charge of unlawful possession of a scheduled drug.

4:09 p.m., Scott Leeland Austin, 30, of Shirley, was arrested on a warrant from an affidavit on a charge of domestic violence assault.

4:34 p.m., Darren Lee Friend, 48, of Madison, was arrested on charges of operating under the influence and operating an unregistered motor vehicle expired over 150 days.

IN WATERVILLE, Wednesday at 9:35 p.m., Samantha Perry, 26, of Waterville, was arrested on Punky Lane on a warrant.

11:45 p.m., Joshua Duprey, 33, of Waterville, was arrested on a warrant on Water Street.

Thursday at 12:15 a.m., Melissa Roye, 31, listed as a transient, was arrested on King Street on three warrants and on a charge of violating conditions of release.

The lawyers for the man accused of killing a Somerset County sheriff’s deputy have asked a judge to throw out his alleged confession, arguing that he had been beaten by the arresting officers and feared further physical violence if he didn’t cooperate with the state police detectives who interrogated him.

Verne E. Paradie Jr., a Lewiston-based attorney, said he filed a motion in Cumberland County Superior Court on Aug. 23 to suppress “any and all statements” that his client, 29-year-old John D. Williams of Madison, made to the detectives.

Maine State Police said John D. Williams was uncooperative so they had to hold him in place for this photo during his arrest April 28. Defense attorneys plan to use the capture photo as evidence in their suppression hearing.

Paradie contends that the statements were obtained illegally because his client was beaten by arresting officers and when state police homicide detectives arrived to interrogate him he feared “he would continue to be beaten by overzealous police officers.” Paradie’s court filing states that a confession is only admissible if it was given “knowingly, understandably and voluntarily, and the state has the burden to prove voluntariness beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“Obtaining confessions by physical abuse constitutes an egregious violation of an underlying principle of our criminal justice system … that ours is an accusatorial and not an inquisitorial system,” the motion states.

Williams has been charged with murder in the slaying of Cpl. Eugene Cole in April. Cole, 61, became the first Maine police officer fatally shot in the line of duty in three decades. Williams pleaded not guilty to the murder charge in June

In their motion, Paradie and co-counsel Patrick Nickerson say that “despite zero resistance by Mr. Williams, officers beat and pummeled him to the point of causing him to defecate himself. Photos show that the officers severely injured Mr. Williams, kicking him in the head and face, among other things, and causing severe bruising and then holding up his head by the back of his hair like a game trophy.”

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

Court documents state that “When the interrogating detectives told him they were there to help him, naked, dirty, hungry, tired, beaten and in the throes of an opioid withdrawal, Mr. Williams sincerely believed they could help him get away from the beatings and was ready to tell them anything they wanted to hear to avoid further beatings.”

In the filing, Williams’ attorneys say that their client was in the throes of an opioid withdrawal when officers arrested him.

“Individuals in such a situation are not capable of advocating for themselves or making important decisions due to the withdrawal and their uncomfortable physical condition,” the motion said.

In a telephone interview Thursday night, Paradie said the publicity generated by the high-profile slaying caused the trial to be moved from the Skowhegan courts to Portland where Williams is tentatively expected to face trial in May 2019.

“It would have been difficult to select an impartial jury (in Skowhegan),” Paradie said.

After a four-day manhunt, John D. Williams is led away by Maine State Police detectives after his capture in Fairfield on April 28. He is accused of killing 61-year-old Cpl. Eugene Cole of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office on April 25.

State prosecutors have indicated they will seek a life sentence for Williams.

Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, referred all questions about the case to the Maine Attorney General’s Office.

“We will have no response to the comments that are being made by his attorneys,” McCausland said Thursday.

Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchesi, who will be prosecuting the case, could not be reached for comment Thursday night. Initially, Williams had been incarcerated at the Maine State Prison, but he has since been moved to the Cumberland County Jail in Portland, Paradie said. A hearing on the motion to suppress statements made to police has not been scheduled yet.

According to court documents, Williams claimed he “got the drop” on Cole and shot him in the head after he tripped, fell backward and landed on the ground during a confrontation that took place in Norridgewock on April 25.

A manhunt that lasted four days resulted in Williams’ arrest in a wooded area of Fairfield. The manhunt involved about 200 officers from several jurisdictions.

On the day of his arrest, Williams, who was shirtless and barefoot, was led out of a wooded area by police. He was given a yellow blanket to cover himself from the waist down before being placed in a state police vehicle and driven away. Police confirmed they had used Cole’s handcuffs to restrain him.

Authorities addressed questions surrounding Williams’ treatment during his arrest, saying that he suffered a black eye while offering “limited resistance” during his apprehension and that a photo in which an officer is shown pulling Williams’ head up by the hair was necessary because he resisted having his picture taken and police needed to confirm his identity.

Police did not intend to release the capture photo to the public, but it was leaked on social media within an hour after it was taken. Police later confirmed that one of the arresting officers had taken the photo. The photo was later removed from the social media sites where it had appeared.

While the photograph of officers holding his head up will be used as evidence in the suppression hearing, Paradie said it won’t be the only point made in his arguments.

“My client was beaten pretty severely,” Paradie said. “There are rules around obtaining confessions and when we don’t follow those rules there have to be consequences.”

“I think the photo epitomizes what the officers did to him,” Paradie added.

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

dhoey@pressherald.com

A Connecticut man who pleaded guilty to trafficking drugs between Connecticut and eastern Maine was sentenced Thursday to more than seven years in prison.

Damien Perry, 36, of Waterbury, was sentenced to 92 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Bryant in Hartford, Connecticut, according to a media release from John Durham, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

Perry’s sentence for his role in trafficking heroin and crack cocaine will be followed by four years of supervised release.

Perry was arrested on Dec. 15, 2016, and was released on a $25,000 bond, court documents say. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and to possess controlled substances on March 29, 2017. A subsequent investigation revealed that Perry continued to traffic narcotics after he was released. He was taken into custody in September 2017.

On July 18, a grand jury in Bangor indicted Perry and five other individuals on charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine.