Shooting Incident

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

On Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at 10:17 p.m., the Houlton Regional Communication Center received a 911 call from a male, later identified as 24-year-old Joshua Prestwood of Easton, as he drove his girlfriend to the Northern Light AR Gould Hospital in Presque Isle. Prestwood alleged that his girlfriend was shot during a home invasion, and the unknown suspect fled the scene. The female victim was flown by Life Flight to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor with a gunshot wound.

Detectives from the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit-North investigated the incident with assistance from MSP Troop F, MSP Evidence Response Team, and the Presque Isle Police Department. After several days of investigation, on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, Prestwood was arrested by detectives in Presque Isle. Prestwood was charged with Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault, Theft by Unauthorized Taking or Transfer, and Domestic Violence Reckless Conduct.

The victim’s name is not being released. Her status is critical but stable. 

The case remains under investigation.

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Friday, September 10, 2021, at approximately 3:12 PM, Maine State Police and Maine Warden Service responded to a shots fired complaint at 274 Averill Road in Prentiss.  Two people were shot and received non-life-threatening injuries. They were transported to Northern Light EMMC in Bangor.  One victim was treated and released and the other remains at the hospital in stable condition.  

State Police members from Major Crime’s Unit North, Troop E, and the Evidence Response Team as well as members of the  Warden Service and Forest Rangers  have been investigating the shooting incident through the weekend.  

As a result, 64-year-old Gary J. LeBlanc of Prentiss has been arrested and charged with the following:  Two Counts of  Aggravated Assault, Class- B and two counts of Elevated Aggravated Assault, Class- A.  LeBlanc was arrested in Lee without incident and transported to the Penobscot County Jail.  The case will be handled by the Penobscot County District Attorney’s office.  An initial appearance has not been scheduled yet.