News Release

On September 21, 2024, at approximately 11:58 PM, Trooper Lambert of the Maine State Police Central Field Troop stopped Daniel Pallis (35) of Dresden on Route 201 in Fairfield for inoperable taillights. Based on Trooper Lambert’s observations of the occupants, he recognized both the driver and the passenger, Maria Jackson (30) of Richmond, as individuals who fought with a Maine State Trooper in Augusta on August 10, 2024, as the Trooper was attempting to arrest Jackson as a result of a drug investigation.

Trooper Lambert subsequently arrested Pallis for Aggravated Trafficking of Schedule W Drugs and two counts of Violating Conditions of Release. Maria Jackson was charged with Aggravated Trafficking of Schedule W Drugs and an arrest warrant for Refusing to Submit to Arrest or Detention and Violating Conditions of Release. Two other passengers were also arrested; Paul Duplin (35) of Whitefield was arrested for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Violating Conditions of Release, and Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs (MDMA). David Levasseur (38) of Lisbon was arrested for Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs and Trafficking in Prison Contraband.

On September 20, 2024, at approximately 7:41 PM, State Troopers responded to a motor vehicle crash report on East Benton Road in Albion. James T. McGarey (53) of Albion was operating a 2012 Dodge pick-up southbound on East Benton Road that left the roadway and struck a rock.  Life-saving measures were attempted; however, they were unsuccessful, and Mr. McGarey succumbed to his injuries. The crash remains under investigation, and if anyone has any information or witnessed anything relating to the crash, please call the Maine State Police Central Field Troop at 207-624-7076. 

On 9/20/2024, the Waterville Police Department and Maine State Police Major Crimes Central Detectives arrested 20-year-old Tyler Quirion of Waterville, charging him with Murder, Manslaughter, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person.

The arrest stemmed from a shooting occurring on 2/19/24 on Grove Street in Waterville. The victim, 22-year-old Justin Iraola, died as a result of the shooting. An autopsy was conducted at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on 2/19/24 and determined the cause and manner to be multiple gunshot wounds, Homicide.

The Waterville Police Department and the Maine State Police Major Crimes conducted an extensive investigation into the shooting, and on 9/19/24, the Kennebec County Grand Jury indicted Quirion, charging him with Murder, Manslaughter, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. Quirion was transported to the Kennebec County Jail and held without bail. Quirion’s appearance will likely be Monday, September 23, 2024.

On 9/20/24 at 9:15 AM, Maine State Police Major Crimes Central Detectives arrested 54-year-old Lisa Barney of Oakland, charging her with Manslaughter. 

The arrest stems from a yearlong investigation into the death of a 4-month-old infant on 9/8/2023.  The incident occurred in Oakland on 8/31/2023.

On 9/8/2023, an autopsy was conducted at the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta, who later ruled the death a homicide.

On 9/19/2024, the Kennebec County Grand Jury indicted Lisa Barney, charging her with Manslaughter. 

Barney was transported to the Kennebec County Jail and appeared today at 1:00 PM.  Bail was set at $100,000 cash/surety.

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at approximately 12:00 PM, Troopers responded to a single vehicle crash at the curve of the Exit 45 northbound toll in South Portland. The initial investigation indicates the driver of a tan 2019 Toyota Tacoma crashed his vehicle and then took off on foot with his dog. The driver later identified as 41-year-old Ryan Simpson of Portland ran through the nearby woods and into the Applebee’s parking lot on Maine Mall Road. A Trooper engaged him in the parking lot, but Simpson’s dog got in between him and the Trooper prompting Simpson to take off running across Maine Mall Road towards the mall. Once he reached the intersection of the Turnpike Spur and Maine Mall Road  (next to Jareds) Simpson attempted to make entry into a car that was stopped at a red light. The passenger door was locked, and he could not get inside. The Trooper was then able to effectively deploy his taser and safely immobilize Simpson before taking him into custody without further incident. Simpson was transported to Maine Medical Center in Portland to be evaluated. Once he is released, he will be transported to the Cumberland County Jail. Simpson had two outstanding warrants. He will also be charged with Operating after Suspension, Failure to Submit to Arrest and Detention, Attempted Burglary of a Motor Vehicle and Leaving the Scene of a Property Damage Accident.  The dog was not injured. It was safely taken into custody by a South Portland Animal Control Officer.   

*Troopers are looking to speak to the woman who was driving the vehicle Simpson was attempting to get into. The vehicle is a white station wagon/hatchback, possibly a Toyota. If this was you or someone you know please contact the Augusta Regional Communications Center at 207.624.7076 and ask to speak to Cpl. Doug Cropper.

On Saturday, September 14, 2024, at 11:49 AM, the Falmouth Police Department responded to the Presumpscot River adjacent to Falmouth’s Walton Park for a report of a suspicious object. The object was determined to be the body of a deceased adult male. The Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit South responded to investigate. The deceased was transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner where an autopsy was performed. Positive identification of the deceased as well as manner and cause of death are pending at this time. There is no known danger to the public. Anyone with any information is asked to call Major Crimes South at 207.624.7076.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, at approximately 3:09 PM, traffic was stopped southbound on I-95 in the city of Augusta due to a construction zone lane closure. In the area of exit 113, where vehicles were stopped in traffic, a 2019 Ford pickup truck rear-ended a 2024 Toyota SUV, which led to a 5-vehicle crash. A female passenger of the SUV, was pronounced deceased at the scene, as was a dog in the vehicle. The female passenger was 68-year-old Sari Ohmart of Brewer. The driver of the SUV was her husband 70-year-old Leslie Ohmart of Brewer. He was transported to Maine General Hospital in Augusta with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the 2019 Ford pickup truck was 28-year-old Robin Carter (male) of Limerick. He was transported the Maine General in Augusta with non-life- threatening injuries. Every other injury in the crash was also non-life threatening. Those individuals were transported to Maine General Hospital in Augusta. All 5 vehicles were towed from the scene by Dostie’s Towing. Maine State Police Troop I was assisted by MSP Troop G (Turnpike), MSP Central Field Troop, MSP Traffic Safety Division, the Augusta Fire Department, Maine DOT, Maine DEP and a law enforcement specialist with the Department of Homeland Security Federal Protective Service (he was in the area at the time). Traffic was diverted off exit 113 during the road closure. As of 5:50 PM, all lanes were open. The crash remains under investigation.

On Friday, September 13, 2024, at approximately 3:09 PM, traffic was stopped southbound on I-95 in the city of Augusta due to a construction zone lane closure. In the area of exit 113, where vehicles were stopped in traffic, a pickup truck rear-ended an SUV, which led to a 5-vehicle crash. A female passenger of the SUV that was struck, was pronounced deceased at the scene, as was a dog in the vehicle. Every other injury in the crash was non-life threatening. Those individuals were transported to Maine General Hospital in Augusta. All 5 vehicles were towed from the scene by Dostie’s Towing. Maine State Police Troop I was assisted by MSP Troop G (Turnpike), MSP Central Field Troop, MSP Traffic Safety Division, the Augusta Fire Department, Maine DOT, and Maine DEP. The crash remains under investigation. Traffic was diverted off exit 113 during the road closure. As of 5:50 pm, all lanes were open.

The Department of Public Safety and Maine State Police would like to thank the Independent Commission who dedicated their time and expertise to investigate the tragic events in Lewiston. In keeping with the Commission’s support for a thorough examination, the Maine State Police is releasing an After-Action Review (AAR) of our response to the Lewison mass shooting and manhunt. This internal review allowed us to identify areas where best practices were accomplished and areas for improvement. Our internal AAR focused on our tactical response, investigative response,  incident management, crime scene response, communication and victim and family services. In addition, the AAR looked at Maine State Police’s transparency after the incident, training, equipment, and personnel and provided primary recommendations with additional recommendations to consider moving forward. Although there were other partners involved in the response this AAR was conducted and prepared by the Maine State Police for our internal use. Consistent with the Lewiston Commission the Maine State Police has requested the New England State Police Administrators Compact (NESPAC) to conduct an independent review of our AAR. NESPAC consists of all the New England State Police leadership which was created by individual state legislatures. (Maine 1965) MRS Title 25 Chapter 198 §1665. NESPAC was originally set up to combat organized crime in New England however most recently it’s been used to provide mutual aid in the event of police emergencies. Through the NESPAC leadership they can draw upon their subject matter experts to conduct a thorough review of the Maine State Police response on October 25-27, 2023. The Maine State Police intends to make ourselves fully available to NESPAC and provide any and all documents for them to conduct their review. Vermont State Police Colonel Matthew Birmingham will chair the independent review. While we do not have a date yet for when this independent review by NESPAC will be completed, we are committed to this process and look forward to its findings.

*The ARR  AAR.pdf (maine.gov) is located on the Lewiston Reports Website  Lewiston Reports | Maine State Police

On Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at approximately 7:36 PM, Trooper Ryan Murry was parked, in his marked State Police cruiser, off the road in a gravel turnout off Route 180 in Ellsworth when his cruiser was stuck by a vehicle. The initial investigation indicates that 43-year-old Jonathan Wood of Winter Harbor was traveling south on Route 180 in a 2008 Toyota Sienna when his vehicle crossed the roadway and then traveled into the dirt turnout striking Trooper Murry’s cruiser. Wood’s van rolled over and he was ejected from the vehicle. Wood was not wearing a seatbelt and died at the scene from his injuries. Trooper Murry sustained minor injuries and was treated and released from a local hospital. Ellsworth PD and Ellsworth Fire and Ambulance responded to assist. A State Police crash scene reconstructionist responded to examine the scene. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.