Domestic Violence

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO.

On Monday, August 15, 2022, a report was made to the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office about ongoing domestic violence incidents occurring at a home in West Gardiner. The individual informed the sheriff’s office that 29-year-old Daniel Ross, a Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputy had been assaulting his wife at their home while off-duty.  Kennebec County Sheriff’s Deputies spoke with Ross’s wife and as a result of that conversation contacted the Maine State Police. As a result of their investigation State Police Troopers arrested Deputy Ross Monday at 10:30 pm while he was on duty. He was transported to the Somerset County Jail where he remains. Ross has been charged with three counts of Domestic Violence Assault, three counts of Domestic Violence Criminal Threatening with a Dangerous Weapon, Unlawful Sexual Contact, Domestic Violence Terrorizing with a Dangerous Weapon and Aggravated Assault. Ross, who started working at the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office on March 16, 2021 is on administrative leave with pay.  

Daniel Ross was in Kennebec County Court for his first appearance on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at 1:00 pm.   Please contact the court for documents and the Somerset County jail for a booking photo.
 

From the desk of Shannon Moss, DPS PIO

On Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers of the Maine State Police and the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in Blue Hill for a report of a domestic disturbance involving an injured woman being held against her will.  Peter Pfister, 27, was inside the residence, reportedly with firearms. The State Police Tactical Team and the State Police Crisis Negotiation Team responded to assist.  As a result of an armed confrontation, Mr. Pfister was shot and killed outside the residence by Detective Scott Duff and Cpl. Caleb McGary of the State Police and Deputy Sheriff Dylan Hall of Hancock County.

The woman in the residence was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. This was an isolated incident. There is no threat to the public

As is standard procedure in all deadly force incidents involving law enforcement, the two troopers and the deputy sheriff are on administrative leave. The cause and manner of the death of Mr. Pfister are part of the investigation by the Maine Attorney General’s Office.  The State Police and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office are cooperating with the investigation.

No further information will be released during the pendency of the investigation
 

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. 
 

Trooper Nathan Jamo from Troop B is asking for the public’s assistance in locating Robert L. Robinson Jr., 39, of Greene, Maine. Robinson is currently wanted on felony domestic violence charges after he assaulted a woman.

Robinson should be operating a black 2016 Chevrolet Silverado crew cab pickup and frequenting the Androscoggin County area.

If you come into contact with Robinson or can provide additional information, please contact the Maine State Police at (207) 624-7076.

A Dayton man is facing 8 charges after being arrested.

On Nov. 6, 2020, Maine State Police Troopers in Troop A were dispatched to an address in Dayton for a report that Rock Varnum, 50, of Dayton, had assaulted his partner, threatened to kill her, burn down the house, and also attacked another female at the scene with a knife leaving her with injuries. Varnum initially fled the area on an ATV prior to Troopers' arrival. While State Police were investigating the incident Varnum returned on his ATV, highly intoxicated. Varnum was uncooperative with Troopers and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Varnum was then transported to the hospital. While being transported by Rescue personnel he continued to threaten them with physical harm. 

After Varnum was released from the hospital he was transported to the York County Jail where he was charged with the following offenses: Aggravated Assault (Class B); Domestic Violence Assault (Class D); Two Counts of Criminal Terrorizing (Class D); Domestic Violence Terrorizing (Class D); Operating under the influence of Alcohol(refusal to submit to test) (Class D); Refusing to submit to arrest or detention (Class D); and Disorderly Conduct (Class E).
 

On Feb. 12, 2020 at approximately 1:40 a.m. , Troopers out of Troop A responded to the town of Hollis for a reported female breaking her ex-boyfriend’s truck windows with a pipe.

Upon arrival, the female identified as Sharleen Hoffman, 29, of Hollis, was no longer on scene. An on-scene investigation showed probable cause for charges of Criminal Trespass Class D and Criminal Mischief Class D. Troopers located Hoffman at her residence where she and other members of the household were highly uncooperative.

Hoffman punched her mother and one of the responding Troopers in the face while at her residence. Hoffman was taken into custody. While Troopers returned to speak with the family, Hoffman escaped the cruiser and fled the scene. She was located shortly after and taken back into custody.

Hoffman was transported to the York County Jail where she continued to be uncooperative and violent. Bail was listed at $2500 and the following charges are pending: Domestic Violence Assault Class D, Assault Class D, Criminal Trespass Class D, Criminal Mischief Class D, Refusing to Submit Class D, and Escape from Custody Class D.

An Alfred man is facing Domestic Violence charges after a disturbance in the early morning of Nov. 26.

On November 26, 2019, at approximately 3:30 a.m., State Police out of Troop A were called to a residence on the Sanford Road in Alfred for a domestic disturbance. Dispatch advised Troopers that a woman reported an assault and the line was disconnected.

State Police and Deputies from the York County Sheriff’s Department responded to the home and found a female bleeding with facial injuries. As a result of the investigation, Thomas Proia, 44, of Alfred, was arrested.  The victim was transported to Southern Maine Health Care in Sanford for her injuries.

Proia was charged with Aggravated Assault (Domestic Violence) Obstructing Criminal Prosecution, and for a Probation Violation. He was transported to the York County Jail where is being held without bail. He will make his first court appearance on Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Springvale District Court.

Proia has a violent criminal history that included an incident in 2015 in which he was convicted of Domestic Violence Reckless Conduct with a firearm, Aggravated Assault ,and Gross Sexual Assault. During that incident Proia fired off several gunshots in his house before fleeing and being arrested near his home after assaulting his neighbor with a rock. In April of 2019, Proia was arrested in Salisbury, Massachusetts by the Massachusetts State Police and was charged with Conspiracy to Violate drug laws, carrying a dangerous weapon, Operating after Suspension, and an outstanding warrant for OUI.

Maine State Police arrested a Lebanon Man on number of charges after domestic incident.

On October 19, 2019, Maine State Police out of Troop A responded to a residence on Smith Road, in Lebanon for a reported domestic violence assault. After Troopers arrived, they met with Dominic Romero, 55, of Lebanon, who was intoxicated and yelling obscenities. While speaking with Troopers, Romero exposed himself twice to a Trooper in front of the residence.

Troopers arrested Romero and continued their investigation. Troopers learned that Romero had been drinking since 3:00 am and had been destroying property inside of the house. Romero had burned a family member's property in the driveway. Romero also flushed another family member's prescription medication down the toilet. When confronted about the property destruction, Romero assaulted a member of his family.

As a result, Romero was charged with Arson, Criminal Mischief, Indecent Conduct, Stealing Drugs, Disorderly Conduct, and Domestic Violence Assault. Bail was set at $15,000 on the charges. Romero is expected to appear at Springvale District Court on Monday at 1 p.m.