January 2022

On Thursday, January 6, 2022, at 4:00 p.m. as part of an ongoing criminal investigation, Maine State Police along with partners from FBI Safe Streets Task Force, Oxford, and Norway Police Departments conducted two traffic stops in the town of Oxford targeting ongoing criminal activity. During the traffic stops, three people were arrested on various charges following searches and seizures of drugs and a pistol. 

During the first traffic stop law enforcement officers discovered the driver, 32-year-old Maurice James of Portland was on probation for trafficking drugs, and his passenger, 28-year-old Brianna Reeve of Oxford was on five sets of bail conditions. During the second traffic stop the passenger in the car, 30-year-old Tiffany Russell of Lisbon was found to have three active warrants for her arrest. The driver was not charged.  

Following the traffic stops, which both occurred on Mechanic Falls Rd. (Rt. 121) in Oxford, a search warrant for a residence in the town of Oxford was obtained by State Police and the residence was searched. 

Located during the traffic stops and at the residence were 204 grams of fentanyl, 12 grams of cocaine base, a quantity of methamphetamine, $1064 of suspected drug proceeds, and one pistol that had been thrown out of one of the vehicles during the traffic stop. The following individuals were arrested, with more arrests expected as the investigation continues:

•    Maurice James was charged with Probation Violation (on probation for trafficking drugs), Aggravated Trafficking Fentanyl, Aggravated Trafficking Cocaine Base, Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person
•    Brianna Reeve was charged with Aggravated Trafficking Fentanyl, Aggravated Trafficking Cocaine Base, Possession of Firearm by Prohibited Person
•    Tiffany Russell was arrested on three active warrants, charged with Unlawful Possession of Fentanyl

Both Maurice James and Brianna Reeve were taken to the Oxford County Jail. Tiffany Russell was taken to the Androscoggin County Jail. Please contact the jail for booking photos.
 

On Saturday, January 8, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. the Augusta Regional Communications Center began taking reports of a wrong-way vehicle traveling northbound in the southbound lane, at mile marker 22 in Wells on the Maine Turnpike. The vehicle, a gray Subaru, made it to the southbound Kennebunk Service Plaza where it struck a white BMW sedan head-on. Another southbound motorist in a Hyundai SUV then struck the disabled white BMW. Witnesses told Maine State Police the Subaru, driven by 45-year-old Charity Reynolds of Virginia, attempted to conduct a U-turn on the Turnpike and became disabled in the southbound service plaza. Minor injuries were sustained and no one involved in the crashes was transported to the hospital. Further investigation revealed Reynolds struck another vehicle in Wells on I-95 before crashing in Kennebunk. Reynolds, who is already on bail for OUI, was charged with violating conditions of release, OUI alcohol, and driving to endanger. Reynolds was summonsed and will appear in court at a later date.

MSP was assisted by Arundel, Biddeford, and West Kennebunk Fire Departments.
 

On Sunday, January 9, 2022, at approximately 5:00 pm., Maine State Police responded to a report of a domestic violence incident at a residence on East Waldo Road in Waldo.  A victim and her three-year-old child fled the residence to a neighbor’s home.  As Troopers were investigating , the suspect, 30-year-old Kote Aldus, allegedly started firing shots in their direction from inside his residence, which was also reportedly occupied by the victim’s two-week-old baby.  While other members of the State Police Tactical Team were responding, Trooper Tyler Harrington, a Tactical Team member, returned fire.  About three hours later, Mr. Aldus was arrested for domestic violence assault.  He was taken to a Belfast hospital for treatment of  non-life threatening injuries.  The baby was unharmed.  Other charges may be forthcoming after consultation with the District Attorney’s Office.

Detectives from the Attorney General’s Office are on scene investigating the incident, as is standard in any officer-involved shooting. 
 

# of School Visits conducted – 0

# of OUI Alcohol Arrests – 0

# of OUI Drug Arrests – 0

# of DV Arrests – 1

01-02-22

Trooper Leonard charged Ronald Albee (43) of Columbia Falls for Operating After Suspension during a traffic stop in Machias.

The Maine State Police investigated a single vehicle PI crash on the Wyman Road in Milbridge on 01/2/2022. Trooper Jarid Leonard and Corporal Gavin Endre responded as primary investigators. The vehicle was occupied by three passengers, two of which suffered minor injuries. Aaron Beal (55) of Milbridge was left with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The investigation continues, but speed and alcohol were a factor. Cherryfield Fire Department, Steuben Fire Department, Milbridge Fire Department, Petit Manan Ambulance Service, Pleasant River Ambulance Service, and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

01-05-22

Trooper Kim Sawyer is investigating a fatal motor vehicle accident that occurred on the Calais Road in Danforth. The accident involved a single vehicle and the male operator of the vehicle. No other passengers were in the vehicle. Deceased at the scene was Anthony Swett (81) last known address of Columbia Falls, Maine. The road, weather and vehicle condition are considered contributing factors causing the accident. Assisting with the investigation at the scene was Sergeant Daniel Ryan and Trooper Laney Merchant.

01-08-22

Trooper Owen Reed responded to a crash in Sedgwick where it was reported that a vehicle had went off the roadway and struck a mailbox.  Upon arrival it was found that the vehicle had left the scene.  The investigation found that Bret Ryan (32) of Sedgwick, was the operator and was summonsed for Failure to Report a Crash by Quickest Means.  Sergeant Jeff Ingemi assisted.

Incident Type:         PURSUIT

Date:                          1/3/2022

Town:                        van buren

Trooper:                   TR. RIDER

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Rider was conducting traffic enforcement in Van Buren when he observed a vehicle with multiple defects.  When he went to initiate a traffic stop, the vehicle sped up and refused to pull over.  Tr. Rider pursued the vehicle with lights and siren, but the vehicle refused to stop.  It turned down a dead-end road, made it to the end, turned back around, speeding towards US Highway 1.  There was a 90 degree turn the violator failed to negotiate and went off the roadway crashing his vehicle in the snow.  The offender tried to run but was stopped by an Aroostook County Sheriff’s Deputy that was also on the road.  The man fought with the Deputy and Troopers and was arrested after a CEW was deployed.  The offender had numerous bail conditions, a revoked driver’s license, and several warrants for his arrest.  He was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.

 

Incident Type:         warrant arrest

Date:                          1/9/2022

Town:                        cyr plantation

Trooper:                   TR. ROY

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Roy and Tr. Rider responded to an address in Cyr Plantation for a 911 misdial complaint.  The dispatcher stated someone called 911 and disconnected the call.  On the call-back, the caller identified themselves and the information was added to the incident card.  Tr. Roy was familiar with the named person and confirmed there was an active arrest warrant for probation revocation.  Both Troopers went to the residence and were invited inside the garage.  The caller with the warrant tried to hide under a vehicle and would not comply with commands to come out.  The Trooper removed the man from under the vehicle and arrested him without further incident.  He was transported to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton.

 

Incident Type:         OAR

Date:                          1/07/2022

Town:                        Houlton

Trooper:                   Tr. Cotton

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Cotton was traveling on Military Street in Houlton when he observed a tan SUV run a red light in front of him. Tr. Cotton initiated a traffic stop with the SUV. Roadside investigation revealed the operator was Revoked Habitual Offender with prior convictions. The operator also had a non-extraditable warrant for a traffic violation out of Florida. Tr. Cotton summonsed the operator for OAR and allowed him to leave his vehicle in a nearby parking lot. 

 

Incident Type:         ACCIDENT

Date:                          1/05/2022

Town:                        Houlton

Trooper:                   Tr. Merchant

Brief Synopsis:       HRCC received a complaint of a motor vehicle crash on I-95 southbound near MM 301. The operator lost control of the vehicle due to slippery road conditions after attempting to pass a slow-moving vehicle. The vehicle rolled down the embankment and came to rest on its wheels on the breakdown side of the road. There were eight juvenile occupants in the vehicle. Occupants suffered minor injuries and were transported to Houlton Regional Hospital by Houlton Ambulance Service.  The investigation is ongoing. Houlton Police and Fire Department assisted on scene.

 

Incident Type:         Theft

Date:                          1/06/2022

Town:                        Oakfield

Trooper:                   Tr. merchant

Brief Synopsis:       An employee of a local gas station called to report a gas drive off. The complainant stated that a white truck with a snowmobile in the bed drove off without paying for their gas. No registration plate was observed but the incident was caught on their security footage. Tr. Merchant is working with the store to obtain the footage and identify the operator of the white truck.

 

Incident Type:         instructor

Date:                          1/05/2022

Town:                        presque isle

Trooper:                   sgt. haines

Brief Synopsis:       Sgt. Haines taught a block of instruction on Use of Force for the 200 Hour Course at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. 

 

Incident Type:         firearms

Date:                          1/06/2022

Town:                        Houlton

Trooper:                   Sgt. Haines

Brief Synopsis:       Sgt. Haines assisted the Firearms Unit with the armorer’s inspection for members of Troop F. 

From the Desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

Shortly after midnight on January 10, 2022, Maine State Police responded to a report of a vehicle that was traveling erratically in the northbound lane on the Maine Turnpike. Corporal Ricci Cote located the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop near mile marker 56. The vehicle failed to stop, and a pursuit ensued. The vehicle exited the turnpike at Exit 63, (Gray)  but drove back onto the turnpike and headed south, continuing to travel in an unsafe manner.

As the suspect vehicle was approaching Exit 53 (Falmouth), Corporal Cote engaged an immobilization technique, which succeeded in stopping the vehicle. Corporal Cote approached the vehicle on foot when the vehicle drove at Corporal Cote, who then discharged his duty weapon at the vehicle. 

The vehicle exited the turnpike at Exit 53 where the Falmouth Police Department had set up spike mats. The vehicle struck the mats and stopped after traveling a short distance 

The driver, 33-year-old Barry Coolbrith of North Yarmouth was taken into custody and treated for injuries on scene and then taken to a Portland hospital where he was treated and released and taken to the Cumberland County Jail. Coolbrith was charged with eluding, passing a roadblock, aggravated reckless conduct, failure to stop, and driving to endanger. 

Corporal Cote was placed on paid administrative leave while the Attorney General’s Office conducts an investigation, which is customary when a law enforcement officer uses deadly force. 

The Maine State Police is in the process of contacting the Cumberland County Jail to authorize the release of Coolbrith’s booking photo.

Please note this is the only information being released at this time.
 

On 01/03/2022, Cpl. Cropper stopped a speeding vehicle that was southbound in Gray. The driver, ABDUALLAHI ALI ISSAK (25) of Lewiston failed to produce a license, gave a false name and date of birth, and was violating three sets of bail conditions by being in direct contact with his victim of DV Assault, who was in the vehicle with him. ISSAK was transported to Cumberland County Jail for VCR x3, operating without a license (suspended in MA), and failure to give correct name and/or DOB.

On 01/04/2022, Cpl. Cropper (Troop G) and Tpr. Jack Dow (Troop K) assisted Wells PD with locating a suicidal female who was southbound on the Turnpike from Wells. The female left a suicide note at her home, took her S&W 357 revolver, went to Wells Beach, and consumed approximately 25 pills of Tramadol. The female fled from Wells Beach after being confronted by an ex-boyfriend who was trying to get her help. Cpl. Cropper and Tpr. Dow stopped the vehicle at the southbound scales and called for rescue. Narcan was given to the female by rescue to help prevent an overdose, as the female wanted to go to the hospital with Cpl. Cropper. The female was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital and was admitted.

On 01/07/2022, Tpr. Parks stopped Gregory Inglis (60) of Ontario for operating an over-limit commercial vehicle at night on the ME Turnpike southbound in Falmouth. He was found to be lacking a required escort, off route, and had failed to acquire ME Turnpike authorization. Tpr. Ellis assisted by conducting a commercial vehicle inspection. Inglis was summonsed and parked for the night.

On 01/08/2022, Section One Troopers responded to mile 25 southbound for a report of a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lane that crashed into a vehicle head on. Charity Reynolds (45) was charged with OUI, driving to endanger, and violating conditions of release. Specialist Allen assisted with the OUI investigation.

 

  From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Monday, January 10, 2022, Washington County Sherriff’s Deputies received information about an altercation that happened at a home at 69 Jim’s Head Road in Lubec. When Deputies arrived at the residence they discovered evidence outside the home that led investigators to believe something suspicious happened at the residence. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit was called in to investigate. Officers began looking for the homeowner 58-year-old Eva Cox and her boyfriend, 65-year-old Paul DeForest who lived at the home with Cox.  A search warrant was prepared and members of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit and Evidence Response Team began processing the scene to look for information that would help them locate the occupants and determine what happened at the residence.

On Tuesday, January 11, 2022, a larger search was organized that included Maine State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Maine Marine Patrol, and Maine Warden Service. A Warden’s plane and a State Police K-9 were also utilized in the search around Cox’s home. That investigation led to the discovery of a female victim found deceased locked in the trunk of a car that was located nearby the residence. The victim has not been officially identified but it is believed to be Eva Cox. The official identity will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner when an autopsy is performed in the coming days.

During the investigation, additional information was obtained that led investigators to seek an arrest warrant for murder for Paul DeForest.  DeForest was found to be at a residence in Warrenton, VA. Members of the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department responded to that residence and negotiated with DeForest over the phone to come out of the residence and after a short time, he did.  DeForest was arrested without further incident. DeForest will be held on a fugitive from a justice warrant.

That is the only information we will be releasing at this time. For a booking photo please contact the Fauquier County Sheriff’s Department.

Incident Type:         oas / warrants

Date:                          1/11/2022

Town:                        castle hill

Trooper:                   TR. RIDER

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Rider was driving in Castle Hill when he observed a pickup trying to turn into a private driveway but ended in the ditch due to poor road conditions.  Tr. Rider stopped to check on the driver and investigation determined the man had a suspended driver’s license and four active arrest warrants.  Tr. Rider arrested the man on the warrants and transported him to Presque Isle PD where he was able to post bail.  The man was also issued a criminal summons for OAS. 

Incident Type:         oas

Date:                          1/14/2022

Town:                        crystal

Trooper:                   TR. CASTONGUAY

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Castonguay was conducting traffic enforcement in Crystal when he observed a vehicle with two defective brake lights.  Tr. Castonguay initiated a traffic stop and an investigation found the operator had a suspended driver’s license.  The man insisted the suspension was a mistake.  Tr. Castonguay issued the man a criminal summons for OAS, explained how he could check his license status with the Secretary of State’s office, and helped him arrange to have a licensed driver come get him and the vehicle.

Incident Type:         ACCIDENT - SERIOUS INJURY

Date:                          1/14/2022

Town:                        island falls

Trooper:                   CPL. QUINT

Brief Synopsis:       Sgt. Clark, Cpl. Quint, and Tr. Castonguay responded to a single vehicle crash on Interstate 95, Island Falls.  A Caribou man was driving north using his vehicles cruise control, lost control due to high winds and whiteout conditions, and went off the right side of the highway.  His vehicle rolled several times coming to rest on its left side in some trees.  He and his front passenger were able to get out of the vehicle, one juvenile said he was stuck in the front seat, a second juvenile was pinned but was able to get out of the car with assistance, and a third was trapped under the roof of the vehicle in the snow.  She was extracted from the car with the jaws of life.  All five were taken to the emergency room in Houlton for serious but not life-threatening injuries.

 

Incident Type:         Operating without license

Date:                          1/15/2022

Town:                        westfield

Trooper:                   TR. DESROSIER

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Desrosier was conducting traffic enforcement on US Highway 1, Westfield, and observed a vehicle with defective equipment.  He stopped the vehicle and during the investigation discovered the driver had a suspended Rhode Island driver’s license.  The male passenger, and owner of the vehicle, had a valid license.  Tr. Desrosier had the two men change places after issuing the man a criminal summons for operating without a license.

 

Incident Type:         OAS

Date:                          1/15/2022

Town:                        presque isle

Trooper:                   TR. ROY

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Roy was driving through Caribou and observed a vehicle speeding.  Tr. Roy continued to monitor the vehicle and observed it fail to make a complete stop at a stop sign.  The vehicle continued speeding (paced at 85 mph in a posted 55 mph zone) and passed another car in a no passing zone.  Tr. Roy conducted a traffic stop on the car.  Further investigation showed the man has a suspended driver’ license and numerous traffic convictions.  Tr. Roy issued him a criminal summons for OAS and a traffic summons for illegal/unsafe passing and not providing evidence of insurance.  The man arranged to have a licensed driver come get him and the car.

 

Incident Type:         warrant

Date:                          1/16/2022

Town:                        littleton

Trooper:                   CPL. QUINT

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Quint was conducting traffic enforcement in Littleton and stopped a vehicle for speeding.  Further investigation revealed the male driver had a warrant for his arrest for two felony charges and one misdemeanor in Houlton.  The man was arrested on the warrant and was able to post bail at the Troop F State Police barracks.  The man was also given a summons for exceeding the posted speed limit.

 

Incident Type:         TRAINING

Date:                          1/10/2022

Town:                        bangor

Trooper:                   tr. mahon

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Mahon completed the final phase to become a certified Accident Reconstructionist after attending two weeks of training in Bangor. 

 Incident Type:        THEFT

Date:                          1/12/2022

Town:                        blaine

Trooper:                   cpl. casavant

Brief Synopsis:       Cpl. Casavant took the report of a stolen motor vehicle from a residence in Blaine.  The owner of the truck is currently incarcerated at Washington County Jail and called to report he received information a 2007 Ford F-150 was missing from his residence.  The investigation is ongoing. 

 

Incident Type:         DISORDERLY CONDUCT

Date:                          1/14/2022

Town:                        island falls

Trooper:                   tr. saucier

Brief Synopsis:       Tr. Saucier received a call from the Island Falls Post Office advising a male subject had been inside causing a disturbance because they did not have the size of stamped envelopes he needed.  Tr. Saucier located the Island Falls man and issued him a Disorderly Conduct warning for the behavior.

On 01/14/2022, Cpl. Physic summonsed Jake Canty for Operating without a License.

On 01/14/2022, Cpl. Physic summonsed Ella McDonald for Criminal Speed for traveling 95 MPH in a 60 MPH zone.

On 01/15/2022, Cpl. Physic summonsed Summer Heath for Criminal Speed for traveling 101 MPH in a 70 MPH zone.

On 01/15/2022, Tr. Ellis stopped Nathan Harrison (34) of Dixfield on the ME turnpike for speeding northbound in Gray. His driver’s license was found to be suspended. He was charged with operating after suspension and his vehicle was towed.

On 01/16/2022, Cpl. Cropper stopped Wilfredo Molina-Chicas (20) of Portland for speeding on I-95 in Falmouth. Molina-Chicas produced a Maine ID and did not have a license. Molina-Chicas was summonsed for Operating without a License and PR bailed.

On 01/11/2022, Cpl. Kristy LiBritz volunteered in her community and completed a speaking engagement at the Standish Baptist Academy. The girls’ volleyball coach asked Kristy to give a motivational speech to the team. Cpl. LiBritz worked with the team for an hour doing teambuilding activities and talking about focus, resilience, teamwork, setting goals, and perseverance.