Troop D

A vehicle defect led to felony drug trafficking charges in Augusta.
 
On April 5, 2021, at approximately 11:30 p.m., Tr. Tyler Harrington stopped a vehicle for operation and a vehicle defect on I-95 in Augusta near mile marker 109 northbound. A narcotics K9 was called to assist with the investigation and as a result of the investigation, approximately 1.5 Kilos of Fentanyl and $3,200 in cash were seized as evidence. Kristopher Churchill, 38, of Bradford, Maine, and Erick Mejia, 26, of Lawrence, Mass., were arrested with Class A Trafficking Fentanyl. Bail was set at $75,000 each. 

Cpl. Record, K9 Tess, Tr. Bronson, Tr. Roddy, Recruit Bachelder assisted with the investigation.
 

George “GJ” Neagle III was recently promoted to Sergeant in Troop D. Cpl. Neagle is a 7-year-veteran who previously served 11 years patrolling with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office where he attained the rank of Sergeant. He has served his entire State Police career in Troop C where he was promoted to Corporal in 2019, and recently served 7 months as acting-capacity Sergeant.

Cpl. Neagle is a Tactical Team Operator, K9 handler and trainer, Firearms Instructor, and has served as a Field Training Officer. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards including Maine Sheriff’s Association Deputy of the Year 2012, Maine State Police K9 Team of the Year 2015, Trooper of the Year nominee 2015 and 2019, and a Maine State Police Bravery Award 2020.

Maine State Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 12-year-old out of Frankfort. 

#UPDATE - the 12-year-old was located safely by authorities. 

Maine State Police are looking for assistance from the public in a hit-and-run crash in Swanville. 

On Feb. 25, 2021, Troopers from Troop D responded to a pedestrian struck on the Oak Hill Road in Swanville. The driver fled the scene. The pedestrian had to be Life-Flighted from the scene to an area hospital for critical injuries. Anyone with information regarding the crash should contact Tr. Luke Martin at 207-624-7066.
 

Maine State Police responded to a crash in Jackson that left one man dead over the weekend.

On Dec. 26, 2020, at approximately 3:30 p.m., Troop D Troopers were dispatched to 372 Moosehead Trail in Jackson for a report of a single vehicle crash with serious injuries. A white 2005 Pontiac Grand Am was traveling southbound on Route 7 when it went off the roadway striking a culvert and a large tree. The operator, Douglas A. Bryant, 60, of Orrington, died as a result of the crash. The passenger, Troy Bryant, 45, of Belfast, was transported to Waldo County General Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. It appears intoxicants may be a contributing factor to the crash. Investigation is ongoing.  

On 11/10/2020 Tr. Belanger stopped Latisha Cook (25) of Searsport on Rt. 1A in Winterport for a defective break light. Cook was ultimately arrested on an FTA warrant and charged with OAS.

On 11/11/2020 Cpl. Quintero, Trooper Belanger, and Trooper Webber conducted a probation check on Travor Cannell (26) of Northport at 1 Poors Mills Rd Belfast. Cannell was on probation for Burglary, Robbery, and Drug Possession. Seized from Cannell was 79- 8mg Suboxone strips, a baseball bat used in the above assault, several blunt weapons, 7 bladed weapons, two stun-based weapons, and three replica firearms stored with burglary equipment. Cannell was arrested for possession of Schedule W Drugs and Violating his Probation. 

On 11/13/2020 Tr. Mattson stopped Sara-Kate Leathers (26) on Oak Hill Rd in Swanville for speed.  Sara-Kate initially claimed to have never been issued an operator’s license but after running her information it was determined that her license had been suspended.  Sara-Kate was summonsed for Operating after Suspension and directed to park her vehicle and not drive until she obtained a valid license.
 

On Nov. 11, 2020, Maine State Police Troopers from Troop D conducted a parole check on Trevor Cannell, 26, at 1 Poor’s Mills Road, in Belfast. Cannell was on parole for Burglary (Class A); Robbery (Class A); and Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs (class B), out of Missouri.  Cannell is prohibited from the possession or use of illegal drugs or the misuse of prescription drugs.  Cannell is also prohibited as per his probation from the use or possession of firearms or dangerous weapons.  

During the check Cannell was found seated in a bedroom of the home. Located within the immediate area of Cannell several dangerous weapons were located.  4 large fixed blade knives, 3 folding knives, a tee-ball bat, a stun gun flashlight, brass knuckle stun gun, a stun gun, and pepper spray.  Separately located next to Cannell was a backpack containing a ski mask, club inscribed “Kill” and a replica Glock Pistol.  Located in the home was collection of cut drug straws containing white residue, a pill crusher, a pill canister containing white powder which has not yet been identified, two digital drug scales and 79 8mg Suboxone strips. Cannell was found to be in criminal possession of the Suboxone.   

Based upon the items located in the home Cannell was arrested and charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs and is held on a parole violation for his possession of his dangerous weapons, misuse of prescription drugs and new criminal conduct.  Cannell is a person of interest in an unrelated investigation into a crime of violence where seized weapons were used.  
 

On 11/4/2020 Cpl. Quintero responded to a single vehicle crash in Frankfort.  Crystal Cunningham (29) of Belfast, was found to be the operator.  Cunningham was found in possession of multiple bags of Methamphetamine and along with a loaded shotgun.  Cunningham was arrested and charged with Aggravated Trafficking of Schedule W Drugs Class A, Operating after Suspension and False Attachment of Plates.   

On 11/04/2020 Tr. Belanger and Cpl. Quintero went to 53 Pomeroy Ln Searsport to look for Donald Resh (44) of Searsport, who was wanted on 4 warrants. Resh was located at the residence and additionally charged with VCR x 4 and Aggravated Furnishing of Schedule W Drugs Fentanyl. Samantha Brown (41) of Swanville, was arrested for Possession of schedule W drugs methamphetamines, possession of schedule Z drugs Gabapentin, VCR, and hindering apprehension. Miguel Mercado (33) transient, was arrested for Possession of Schedule W Drugs Methamphetamines. 

On 11/05/2020 Tr. Belanger and Cpl. Quintero conducted a warrant check at 175 Rocky Rd Northport. Stephen Boyle (49) of Northport, was arrested on a warrant and VCR x 4. Stacy Hughes (46) of Northport was arrested on VCR.
 
On 11/05/2020 Tr. Martin stopped a vehicle for a loud exhaust. The operator, Nicholas Hart (34), had a suspended license and was summonsed for Operating After Suspension.

On 11/6/2020 Cpl. Quintero and Sgt. Couturier responded to 140 Detroit Rd., in Troy for the report of a domestic disturbance.  Upon arrival contact was made with Stephanie Coutu (26) of Troy.  Couto was found to be on a Conditional Release for a prior domestic violence and drug trafficking arrest. Couto was found to be in possession of hypodermic apparatus. Upon testing Couto was found to have recently used illegal drugs.  Couto was arrested and charged with violating her conditions of release.  Couto was held without new bail.

On 11/07/2020 Tr. Belanger and Cpl. Quintero conducted a bail check at 18 Damon Rd Stockton Springs. Rodney Damon (40) of Stockton Springs, was found to be in possession of meth. Damon was charged with Possession of Schedule W Drugs Methamphetamines and VCR x 2. Gail Curtis (36) of Stockton Springs, tested positive and charged with VCR. Evidence of poaching deer was located at the residence. Damon admitted to the hunting offense. The Maine Warden Service was called and charged Damon with failing to register a deer and hunting over bait.

On 11/7/2020 Cpl. Quintero and Tr. Belanger conducted a bail search at 2159 Belfast Rd in the Town of Lincolnville.  Christopher Ray (39) of that address, was the subject of conditions of release from a prior arrest for Gross Sexual Assault.  Ray was prohibited from the use or possession of alcohol.  During the search Ray was found to be in possession of alcohol and he confessed to its regular use.  Ray was arrested and charged with violating his conditions of release and brought to the Waldo County Jail. 
 

Troop D weekly activities for time October 19th to October 25th, 2020

On 10/18/2020 Trooper Belanger stopped Mark Ross (37) of Morrill on Rt. 7 in Jackson. Ross was suspended and arrested for OAS.

On 10/19/2020 Cpl. Quintero and Tr. Belanger arrested Ryan Hamilton (43) of Burnham for Unlawful Possession of Schedule W drugs and Operating without a License on Main St. in Unity.  

On 10/21/2020 Tr. Roddy and Tr. Verhille responded to a crash on Route 3 in China. A tractor trailer unit rolled over, taking out a telephone pole and wires and blocking the roadway. No one was injured in the crash. Route 3 was closed for approximately 8 hours while Central Maine Power fixed the lines and the vehicle and load as removed. Department of Environmental Protection assisted on scene as well as China Fire Department.

On 10/21/2020 Tr. Adams stopped Frank Drew (54) of Knox for an expired registration in the town of Unity. Drew’s license was suspended. Drew was issued a criminal summons for OAS. 

On 10/21/2020   Tr. Bureau responded to Freedom for a report of a vehicle stuck in persons vegetable garden.  Tr. Bureau made contact with the operator Corey Palmer (39).  Palmer was unaware how he got there and had been consuming alcohol.  Palmer had a conditional Q license. Tr. Bureau arrested Palmer and transported him the Waldo County Jail.  Palmer was charged with OAS AND OPERATING BEYOND LICENSE RESTRICTION.

On 10/20/20202 Tr Mattson stopped Amy Sowa (35) on Leonard Rd in Thorndike.  Amy’s vehicle was unregistered, and she was summonsed and released for the offense.

On 10/22/2020 Tr. Martin stopped a vehicle on route 9 in Unity for a defect. The operator was a Benjamin Stowe (58) Tr. Martin learned Stowe had a suspended license and summonsed Stowe for the violation. 

On 10/23/2020 Tr. Peckham stopped Forest Hisler (21) of Albion on Route 3 in China after observing a vehicle being operated on the public which had just been force inspected the prior week, known to be criminally defective and a danger to the motoring public. Hisler was summonsed and the vehicle was towed.

On Saturday October 24, 2020, Trooper Anstett responded to the intersection of the China Rd and Abbott Rd in Albion for a motor vehicle crash with injuries.  Investigation revealed that Krista Carey (28) of Augusta was traveling north on Rt. 202 in Albion, attempted to turn left on Abbott road failing to yield to southbound traffic, striking Jillian Porchetta (31) head on.  Krista Carey was cited for failing to yield turning left and summonsed for operating without a license.  

On 10/24/2020 Trooper Belanger, Cpl. Quintero, and Sgt. Couturier stopped Ryan Dingley (36) and Meagan Bean (37) of Thorndike on School St in Unity. Drug paraphernalia was located and seized. Dingley was suspended and charged with OAS, VCR, and use and sale of drug paraphernalia. Bean was charged with Permitting Unlawful Use and Use and Sale of Drug Paraphernalia. 

10/24/2020 Trooper Belanger stopped Adam Jones (35) of Unity on School St in Unity. Jones was operating with an expired registration and charged with operating with an expired reg < 150 days.

On 10/24/2020 Trooper Belanger and Cpl. Quintero stopped William Whitcomb (39) of Monroe and Ross Liberty (27) of Belfast on Rt. 7 in Brooks. Whitcomb was found to be in possession of heroin and charged with possession of schedule W drugs. Liberty was found in possession of Methamphetamines and arrested for possession of schedule W drugs.
 

Troop D weekly activities for time October 12th to October 18th, 2020

On 10/14/2020 Tr. Belanger, and Cpl. Quintero stopped Clifford Sousa (45) of Gardiner on Water St in Randolph for speeding. Sousa was on probation and was found to be in possession of suboxone. SOUSA was arrested for possession of schedule W drugs and violating probation.

On 10/14/2020 Tr. Belanger stopped Daniel Wheelock (57) of West Gardiner for an expired inspection sticker on Maine Ave in Farmingdale. Wheelock had a suspended driver’s license and was charged with OAS.

On 10/17/2020 Tr. Belanger Cpl. Quintero, and Sgt. Couturier stopped Bethany Hasson-Meunier (31) of Oakland for an inadequate plate light on 295 mm 51 South. Hasson was found to be in possession of 5 grams of fentanyl, methamphetamines, and drug paraphernalia. Hasson was charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs, and VCR.