Dog Days Don't Include Wednesdays at the Farmer's Market

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      Today  was the first Watertown Farmer's Market  sans dogs since last January's passage of a law limiting canines at certain public events. Organizers had wanted something done after a mauling of a child last summer.  City Council Member Roxanne Burns proposed the restriction which only affects high density events on public property.
One Merchant Sports a No Dogs Sign at the Farmers Marketin Watertown

Monday Odds and Ends

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Did you know that CMPD Officers "FAMILY" medical coverage that has become so expensive that many drop the coverage and find it "outside" the department? 

Cedar Says: If you are one of those who have discovered this fact, and have signed up for the Blue Cross Advantage or other health insurance outside of the department Cedar Posts would like to here from you.

Props to Chief Monroe on earning his CJ degree!

Excellent idea sending CMPD guys to the "Windy City" to see first hand the nutties we'll have to deal with during the DNC 2012, and it is a good time to get a first hand look at the protesters as well.

Speaking of Chicago, did you know a rookie CPD Officer is paid 61k a year? That a sergeant at the top pay level in Chicago makes more than CMPD's Captains? The department wide pay scale for both sworn and civilan employees is here.

Cedar's Take: Why don't we pay our CMPD Officers a fair wage?

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/13/3253054/police-chief-faces-biggest-test.html#storylink=cpy

Officers Shelton and Clark Memorial Softball Tournament

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The 6th Annual softball tournament will return to Matthews next month to honor slain Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officers Sean Clark and Jeff Shelton.



The annual tournament, along with a Home Run Derby Contest, is set for June 2-3 one month earlier than last year and will be held at Meckenburg County's Idlewild Road Park. The tournament will feature 16 teams, eight co-ed and eight all-men teams.

Shelton, 35, and Clark, 34, both were fatally shot on March 31, 2007 when responding to a disturbance call at the Timber Ridge Apartments in east Charlotte. Demeatrius Montgomery was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in their death’s and sentenced to two consecutive life prison terms.

The memorial tournament has been held every year since 2007.

Teams can register for the softball tournament for $200, and the Home Run Derby fee is $20 per person.

To learn more, contact CMPD Detective Darryl Seegars at 704-241-8343.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/05/22/3259288/softball-tournament-to-honor-slain.html#storylink=cpy

DC Medlock Road Rage?

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For years I've heard of DC Medlock's wild temper, always discounting it as scuttle butt. Then I got a taste of it in person recently.

Having a white Mercedes ride my bumper I tried to bail to the right and let the car go around, just as I did he went base line and passed me on the right, nearly taking the back end of my SUV with him. I moved back to the left to let him pass, only to get brake checked and have the guy move left and slow down until I was along side. Then he rolled down the passenger window and verbally let me have it.


I'm sure he was as surprised that the guy in the SUV was CP as I was at who was going all road rage on me.

Then he roared off down the road another 300 yards before turning into the Mercedes of South Charlotte parking lot.

Not one expletive or any threat just a non stop barrage of unintelligible noise.I doubt you guys no more.

Cedar's Footnote: If it wasn't Medlock then it was his evil twin, and I'll freely admit I was just idling along with traffic going the speed limit and yielding to pedestrians and slow moving seniors, as well as some hot head aggressive driver in a white Mercedes with an FOP tag.

Cedar's Folo: I several souces tell CP Medlock's wife Gloria drives a white Mercedes. By the way it was a FOP Plate not a sticker.

In Case You Missed It - Memorial Day

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For most, this past weekend was full of boating, family picnics, beer drinking, partying til dawn, a 3 day weekend on the water, at the mountains or at the beach, with a good dose of NASCAR's Coca Cola 600 thrown in to kick off the un-official Official start of Summer.

And in case you missed it, Memorial Day.

A number of years ago Mrs. Cedar and I spent the last weekend of May on the West Coast. Three fun filled days of checking out the San Francisco area; Napa Valley, Monterrey and the former home of John Steinbeck, a Giants baseball game at the old Candlestick Park and the golden gate bridge. That Monday we stumbled into The Presidio and the vast military cemetery there on what just happened to be Memorial Day.


The fact is I had forgotten what day it was, until I noticed the sea of stars and stripes. They have been honoring Memorial Day at the Persidio for 144 years. While it is not Arlington National Cemetery, it is vast and stunningly beautiful. The late afternoon fading light of a California sunset is a surreal backdrop to the endless rows of headstones that mark the graves of American Soldiers. There are 34 Medal of Honor recipients in the San Francisco National Cemetery, a somber reminder of the price we have paid as a nation.

The unexpected find, and that moment of realization that without such days, we take far too much for granted, has stayed with me.

Dylan Lord / Home Burglary Arrest

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At approximately 1:45 a.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2010 the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a home invasion in the Lubec area. After extensive investigation Dylan Lord, 25, of Lubec was arrested and charged with Class A Robbery, Class A burglary and Class A, B & C thefts in association with this complaint. Lord is being held at the Washington County Jail in Machias and bail has been set at $100,000 cash.

The victim reported that two males entered his residence they tied him up and held him at gunpoint. During this time he was beaten by the two suspects. The suspects took an undisclosed amount of US currency and medications belonging to the victim. The victim was transported by Downeast Emergency Medical Services to the Down East Community Hospital in Machias where he is being treated for multiple serious injuries.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Maine State Police, Main Warden Service, Maine Marine Patrol and Downeast Emergency Medical Services. Investigation is continuing and further arrests are expected. If anyone has information regarding this incident, please contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

Reference: Lubec Home Invasion Additional Information that took place on 09/23/10.

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Today, 09/24/10, Sheriff's Deputies arrested Walter Conlin, 38 of Lubec for Class A Robbery and Class A. Kidnapping.

Bail for Conlin was set at $100,000.00.

Also arrested was Jessica Ramsdell 36 of Lubec for Hindering Apprehension and Prosecution. Class B.

Bail for Ramsdell was set at $50,000.00

Both are being held at the Washington County Jail.

Deputies were assisted by Marine Patrol Officer Russell Wright.

MDEA

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The Washington County Sheriff's Office has confirmed the MDEA has been unable to account for approximately $2,480.00 of State money that has been missing since approximately January 2008.

This issue first came to the attention of the Washington County Sheriff's Office as a result of rumors. Initial inquires made to the MDEA to both Commander Darrell Crandall and Director Roy McKinney revealed very little information surrounded by a cloud of secrecy.

Washington County Sheriff's Office has been, and continues to be, committed to aggressive enforcement of illegal drug laws and ,in furtherance of that commitment, has routinely assigned deputies to the MDEA. Washington County Sheriff's Office, as well as several other law enforcement agencies, had officers assigned to the MDEA at the time the money went missing. It is imperative to identify and report what happened to the money so that officers who did nothing wrong can be cleared and, to hold accountable whoever is responsible.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has done a limited investigation which began with a request for documents, including investigative reports from the MDEA. The MDEA refused to provide any documents and which required the Washington County Sheriff's Office to file suit against the MDEA under Maine’s Freedom of Information Law. That law suit is currently pending in Penobscot County Superior Court.
Washington County Deputies who were assigned or are assigned to the MDEA have been interviewed. The Washington County Sheriff's Office does not have the ability to interview officers from other agencies who may have been assigned to MDEA at the time.

The results of our investigation, which is ongoing, has revealed the following:

•A Maine State check, in the amount of approximately $2500 was made payable to an agent with MDEA in January.
•The agent cashed the check.
•The agent has not accounted for $2,480.00 of the money.
•The agent did not report matter to MDEA for several months
•MDEA discovered the missing money during a routine audit.
•MDEA Director Roy McKinney did not do any investigation.
•MDEA Commander Darrell Crandall did not do any investigation.
•The Maine Attorney General’s Office did not do any investigation.
•MDEA did not interview any agents.
•Former Maine Public Safety Commissioner Anne Jordan did not require an investigation to be completed.
•No agents have been cleared.
•No agents have been accused.
•The agent, to whom the check was made payable, was told by Commander Crandall to repay the money without knowing if that agent was responsible.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office remains concerned that this kind of situation could happen within a law enforcement agency and even more concerned that the MDEA refused to investigate the matter and, rather, chose to cover it up.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office investigation is ongoing and will consider any information that may be released as a result of the Freedom of Information law suit. No date has been set for the Judge’s decision regarding MDEA’s refusal to release documents and information to the Washington County Sheriff's Office.


Sheriff Donnie Smith

Operation Round Up #1

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April 8, 2011
On April 7, 2011 (4:00 pm) into the early morning hours of April 8, 2011 (3:00 am) the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maine Forest Service conducted Operation Round Up #1 in the Town of Perry, Maine. The operation was also assisted by the Maine State Police, the Pleasant Point Police Department, the Eastport Police Department and the Calais Police Department.

The purpose of Operation Round Up #1 was to gather intelligence to assist with the investigation of a rash of fires and burglaries in the Perry, Pembroke and Pleasant Point areas over the last two years. The Operation conducted bail checks, probation checks, drug court checks and warrant arrests for the targeted area.

A Incident Command was established at the Perry Fire Department with the assistance of the Office of the State Fire Marshal who provided the Mobile Command Vehicle and the Maine Forest Service. The Command Center included a information and intelligence gathering unit consisting of a mix of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Office of State Fire Marshal and the Maine Forest Service.

The operation was very successful with information provided by all subjects arrested and the general public. Information continues to be provided to the agencies into the afternoon of April 8, 2011. The Office of the Fire Marshal will continue the investigation with results expected from the information gathered during the operation.

The following subjects arrested and booked into the Washington County Jail as a result of the operation are as follows: Abel Burse, 31 years old from Eastport, violation of bail, no bail allowed; Carlton Cooper, 32 years old from Cooper, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, bail set at $750.00 cash; Jeremy Farley, 22 years old from Baring, violation of bail, no bail allowed; Dylan Francis 30 years old from Pleasant Point, violation of bail, no bail allowed; James Lintott, 64 years old, from Eastport, violation of bail, no bail allowed; Crystal Roussel, 27 years old from Cooper, unlawful trafficking in schedule drugs, bail set at $750.00 cash; William Smith, 40 years old from Pleasant Point, violation of bail, no bail allowed; three other arrest were made with release at the Incident Command. The names and charges of the three are not being released to protect the information gathered.

Anyone with information is requested to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Senior Investigator Tim Lowell at (207) 532-5405 or 1-800-924-2261, the Maine Forest Service, Sergeant Courtney Hammond at 1-800-987-0257 or the the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Lieutenant Travis Willey at (207) 255-4422.

Sheriff Donnie Smith
Washington County Sheriff's Office.

THE WASHINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND DOWNEAST COMMUNITY HOSPITAL ARE TAKING BACK UNWANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUGS APRIL 30 AT HANNAFORD SUPER MARKET

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Machias Maine– On April 30 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Washington County Sheriff's along with DownEast Community Hospital ] and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Bring your medications to Hannaford Super Market US Route one Machias, The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Last September, Americans turned in 242,000 pounds—121 tons—of prescription drugs at nearly 4,100 sites operated by the DEA and more than 3,000 state and local law enforcement partners.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines—flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash—both pose potential safety and health hazards.
Four days after last fall’s event, Congress passed the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act of 2010, which amends the Controlled Substances Act to allow an “ultimate user” of controlled substance medications to dispose of them by delivering them to entities authorized by the Attorney General to accept them. The Act also allows the Attorney General to authorize long term care facilities to dispose of their residents’ controlled substances in certain instances. DEA has begun drafting regulations to implement the Act, a process that can take as long as 24 months. Until new regulations are in place, local law enforcement agencies like The Washington County Sheriff's Office and the DEA will continue to hold prescription drug take-back events every few months.


Sheriff Doniie Smith
Washington County Sheriff's Office

Office of Maine State Fire Marshal

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On April 14, 2011 Office of State Fire Marshal Investigators arrested two Washington County men on charges of Arson. The charges stemmed from the investigation of an April 3, 2010 fire which destroyed a seasonal dwelling on the Ox Cove Road in Pembroke, Maine.

Levi Woodman, 18, of Perry, was arrested without incident at his residence and transported to the Washington County Jail where bail was set at $25,000 cash. Jeremy Farley, 22, of Baring, was served at the Washington County Jail where he was being held on other charges. Both men remained in jail overnight awaiting their initial court appearances.

The arrests developed from intelligence gathered during Operation Round Up #1 conducted on April 7, 2011 (4:00 pm) into the early morning hours of April 8, 2011 (3:00 am) by the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the Office of the State Fire Marshal and the Maine Forest Service in the Town of Perry, Maine and surrounding areas. The operation was also assisted by the Maine State Police, the Pleasant Point Police Department and the Calais Police Department.

The purpose of Operation Round Up #1 was to gather intelligence to assist with the investigation of a rash of fires and burglaries in the Perry, Pembroke and Pleasant Point areas over the last two years. The Operation conducted bail checks, probation checks, drug court checks and warrant arrests for the targeted area.

Anyone with additional information is requested to contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal, Senior Investigator Tim Lowell at (207) 532-5405 or 1-800-924-2261, the Maine Forest Service, Sergeant Courtney Hammond at 1-800-987-0257 or the Washington County Sheriff's Office, Lieutenant Travis Willey at (207) 255-4422.

OPERATION ROUND UP 2

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On Thursday, April 22, 2011 the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and several other local law enforcement agencies conducted a joint operation in the western Washington County area.

Participating agencies from the Maine Forest Service, Maine State Police, Maine Fisheries and Wildlife, Maine Drug Enforcement Agency, Milbridge Police and Probation/Parole conducted bail checks, probation checks, drug court checks along with warrants of arrest and general criminal information gathering.

Operation Round Up 2 was successful in charging several individuals who were booked into the Washington County Jail:

Nicholas Davis, 24, Harrington, Eluding/Attempting to Elude an Officer and Exceeding Posted Speed Limit by 30+ MPH, bail set at $750 cash; Jason Lisee, 36, Columbia Falls, Violation of Condition of Release, no bail; Larry Murphy, 37, Columbia, Warrant of Arrest, bail set at $480 cash; Kerry Nash, 50, Milbridge, Probation and Parole Charge, no bail allowed; Harry Newenham, 34, Steuben, Violation of Condition of Release, no bail allowed; Jamie Smith, 32, Addison, Violation of Condition of Release, no bail allowed.

The multi-agency operation continued to gather information into open investigations in numerous thefts, burglaries and other criminal conduct in the local area.

Anyone with information concerning criminal activities in Washington County are asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 255-4422.

Sheriff Donnie Smith







OPERATION ROUND UP 2

Lubec Home Invasion

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On Wednesday evening, April 27, 2011, the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint from a Lubec resident reporting a residential burglary and assault. The male victim required medical attention and was transported to the Down East Community Hospital where he was treated and released.

Through the investigation two male suspects were arrested in connection with this incident. James Fitzgerald, 40, or Ellsworth and Michael Blanch, 35, of Silver Springs, Florida were each charged with Class B Burglary. More charges are expected in connection with the incident.

The suspects were transported to the Washington County Jail and bail was set at $5,000 cash. Arraignments are set for June 27, 2011 in Machias Superior Court for both suspects.

Deputy Keith York of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office is the investigating officer and he was assisted at the scene by Sheriff Donnie Smith, Sgt. Richard Rolfe, Deputy Ryan Allen and Down East EMS.

Sheriff Donnie Smith



PRESS RELEASE

Press Release 5-19-11

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On Wednesday evening, May 18, 2011, Lt. Travis Willey and Deputy Brandon Parker of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard conducted a joint police operation in the Lubec area. As a result of the joint operation, Bracy Ashby, 45, of Lubec was arrested.

A bail check was completed and Ashby was found to be in possession of Hydrocodone. Ashby is being held at the Washington County Jail charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule Drugs (Class C) and Violation of Bail.

PRESS RELEASE

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On Monday June 28, 2011, Maine Marine Patrol Sgt. Troy Dow and Officer Gordon Faulkingham received a tip from a concerned citizen. The tip was of possible drug dealing in Machiasport. The two Marine Patrol Officers checked the location detailed by the citizen and located Jon Wright 42, of Machiasport and another male. The Marine Patrol requested assistance from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Washington Counnty Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Richard Rolfe responded to the location. Through the investigation, Jon Wright 42, Machiasport was arrested in connection with the incident. It was discovered that Wright was in possession of a quantity of Canadian Oxycontin and Methadone. Marijuana, scales and $4600 in cash was also seized at the scene. Wright was charged with Unlawful Trafficking in Schedule W Drugs, Class B, Unlawful Poossession of OxyCodone, Class C and Trafficking in Prison Contraband, Class C. His bail was set at $1500 cash. His arraignment is scheduled for August 22, 2011 at the Superior Court located in Machias.
Assisting the Maine Marine Patrol and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office was Maine Warden Service Warden Alan Curtis and his K-9 Cruiser.

Sheriff Donnie Smith

Maine Forest Service IMT Mobilized to Texas to Manage Large Wildfires

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Abilene, Texas

Due to the extreme fire danger and record breaking drought in most of the Southwest, the Maine Forest Service Incident Management Team (IMT) has been mobilized to West Texas. The Maine IMT, under the command of Southern Region Forest Ranger Lt. Jeffrey Currier, is working with a US Forest Service NIMO (National Incident Management Organization) team that has also been managing wildfires in Texas for several weeks.

Both teams were requested by the Texas Forest Service to provide extended attack support for large wildfires and relieve the local firefighters, who have been overwhelmed with nearly 13,500 fires since February. So far in 2011, over 3.3 million acres have been burned and 2181 homes and structures lost due to wildfire.

Since the IMT arrived on June 30th, the hot / dry weather and isolated “dry” lightning storms have started dozens of small fires. Fortunately, these fires have not exceeded the capability of the local firefighters. The Maine IMT is using this time to update their mapping and communication capabilities, attend Texas Forest Service briefings and prepare for a short-notice mobilization within Texas. The team is poised to any contingency present by the Texas Forest Service.

Once the local officials request the team to take control of a large wildfire, the Maine IMT will use their experience and leadership skills to manage the incident. The political system in Texas is quite different from Maine. Working with the county judges and sheriffs, as well the fire chiefs and local volunteer firefighters can be very challenging. As a means to meet this challenge, the Maine IMT has recruited Washington County Sheriff Office’s Deputy Chief Michael St. Louis, who will function as the liaison officer. As a Liaison Officer, St. Louis will be responsible for interfacing with local county government, law enforcement and emergency management official to facilitate team operations. His experience in law enforcement and emergency response make him a significant asset to the IMT.


Nine members of the Maine IMT are currently in Texas helping manage large wildfires.

9-27-11 Burglary

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On 9-27-11 at approximately 0620 hrs Deputies responded to a report of a burglary at the T.A King and Sons business in Jonesport. During the investigation deputies found physical evidence and while speaking to people in the community linked that evidence to Franklin Perry, D.O.B 12/29/1981. During the investigation of the burglary at T.A King and Sons deputies were told that the Moosabec Variety store and Stewarts Grocery had been broken into as well. The investigation yielded evidence linking the Perry to all three burglaries.

Of the items stolen there were (in all 3 burglaries) $700.00, alcohol,cigarettes, laptop computer,scratch off lottery tickets and small amount of hand tools.

Upon trying to locate Perry, Deputies were in Stewarts grocery giving the clerks and owners a physical description of Perry, when Perry walked in the store. The deputies brought Perry outside and interviewed him. Perry had some of the stolen property on his person. Perry admitted to the breaks and Sgt. Randy Perry and Deputy Brandon Parker were able to retrieve some of the stolen property.

Perry was arrested taken to the Washington County Jail and charged with the burglaries. He being held on $5,000.00 cash bail.

2-18-12 Arrest for precription pill Trafficking

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On Saturday February 18, 2012 Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office executed two search warrants. According to Sheriff Donnie Smith the first search warrant executed was for two packages destined for an address in Lubec. The warrant was executed at the Sheriff’s Office. Found in the first search warrant was several hundred Alprazolam pills.

The second search warrant was executed at a residence located at 138 North Lubec Road in Lubec. Seized in the second warrant were more unlawfully possessed prescription pills, firearms and cash.

Washington County Deputies and Agents with the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service have been investigating the illegal importation of prescription drugs to Lubec for several months.

The several month long investigation culminated in the arrest of Ashley Bragg, 23 of Lubec who is charged with Aggravated Trafficking in Schedule Z Drugs Class C. Also arrested was William Feltner 28 of Lubec who is charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule W Drugs Class C and Amanda Bragg 25 of Lubec. Amanda Bragg is charged with Unlawful Possession of Schedule Z Drugs Class E.

Ashley Bragg, William Feltner and Amanda Bragg were all transported to the Washington County Jail in Machias.

Pending further investigation other arrests are possible. .

Assisting the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at the Lubec warrant was the United States Coast Guard Investigative Service and the Maine State Police.

Arrested: Jon Wright

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On the morning of 3-7-2012 acting on a tip, Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office went to the Ackley Road in East Machias to find Mr. Jon Wright, DOB 10/6/1986, of Machiasport for the purpose of conducting a bail check on him. Mr. Wright is currently on active conditions of release for trafficking in Oxycontin.

Upon responding to a wooded area off the Ackley Road Mr. Wright’s camper was located along a skidder trail. Mr. Wright was believed to be inside the camper but would not respond and would not allow Deputies inside. During this process evidence of Fish and Game violations were discovered and the Maine Warden Service was requested to respond as well.

Once other units arrived entry was made into the camper and Mr. Wright was arrested for violations of his conditions of release. A search warrant of the property was then obtained by the Sheriff’s Office to search for drugs and contraband, deer and deer parts, firearms, ammunition, deer processing equipment, wild birds, wild bird parts, and wild bird capturing devices.

Upon execution of that warrant evidence was found supporting several charges against Mr. Wright. Several firearms, drugs, drug paraphernalia, deer parts, and a live Raven were seized as a result of the efforts. Other charges include Unlawful Possession of Schedule Drugs, Illegal deer kill charges, and charges related to the captive Raven. According to the Maine Warden Service possible federal charges are pending reference the captive Raven.

Affidavit and Request for this search warrant are on file with the Machias District Court. Mr. Wright remains in custody in the Washington County Jail held without bail at the time of this release pending his appearance before the Machias District court possibly Friday 3-9.


Sheriff Donnie Smith

Pleasant Point Man Sentenced for Starting Downeast Wildfires

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A Pleasant Point man has been sentenced for his role in a rash of wildfires that occurred in Washington County last summer. Timothy Tiess, age 37, entered into a plea agreement in Washington County Superior Court in Machias earlier this weekand was sentenced to serve 18 months in jail. According to forest rangers, Tiess was accused of starting fires in Marion Township, Edmunds Township, Day Block Township, Pembroke and Perry in July, 2011.
Tiess was originally charged with 5 counts of arson and one count of aggravated criminal mischief for starting a series of wildfires in Downeast Maine. Tiess became the subject of an intensive investigation that involved undercover surveillance and a multi-agency task force led by Maine’s forest rangers. Tiess, who served as a volunteer firefighter with the Pleasant Point Fire Department, pled guilty to the single felony count of aggravated criminal mischief (Class C), while the 5 counts of arson were dismissed in the plea deal. He was sentenced to 9 months in the Washington County jail and received a consecutive sentence of an additional 9 months on a probation revocation for a previous charge in Kennebec County. Tiess is currently in custody at the Washington County Jail and began serving his sentence on Tuesday.
According to Ranger Sgt. Courtney Hammond of the Maine Forest Service’s Jonesboro office, Tiess became a subject of investigation last summer after witnesses described a vehicle similar to Tiess’ racing away from several of the fire scenes. Tiessalso became the primary suspect early in the investigation due to his three prior convictions for other fire related incidents from the 1990s, which involved structures in southern Maine. Hammond said that Forest Rangers conducted a search warrant at his Pleasant Point residence in August and seized evidence, including a vehicle, which supported the charges against Tiess. He went on to say that forest rangers were assisted by the Maine Fire Marshal’s Office, the Maine State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge. Hammond coordinated the investigation, which also involved 8 forest rangers and forest ranger pilots. “The fire starts were in a large geographic area and were set sporadically over the period. Quick response by forest rangers and volunteer firefighters kept the fires from growing into dangerous incidents”, Hammond added.
“I am satisfied that the hard work of our forest rangers has resulted in this conviction,” said Chief Forest Ranger Bill Hamilton, “and we feel that the residents of Downeast Maine can take comfort in that fact.” He added that forest rangers were very pleased that they received tips from the public and assistance from other law enforcement agencies.
Maine Forest Rangers serve in the Department of Conservation, Maine Forest Service, Forest Protection Division. Their mission is to protect Maine’s citizens and its natural resources through wildfire control, natural resource law enforcement, incident management and disaster response. Citizens can provide confidential information on suspicious wildfire by calling with Wildfire Arson Hotline at 1-800-987-0257.

Governor, Attorney General honor Monroe County Victim Advocate

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Left to right, Sheriff Peryam, Major Crimes Sgt. Linda Mixon, Chief Donie Lee, KWPD Officer Diane Lipinsky, Victim Advocate Elaine Woodson, Governor RickScott, Special Investigations Lt. Lee Ann Holroyd and Major Crimes DetectiveManny Cuervo.

 At a ceremony held in Tallahassee yesterday, Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi honored Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate Elaine Woodson as Florida’s Victim Advocate of the Year.

AttorneyGeneral Pam Bondi presents the award to Woodson as her supervisor, Major CrimesSgt. Linda Mixon, looks on. Sgt. Mixon is the person who submitted Woodson’sname and accomplishments for consideration.

Woodson has worked for the Sheriff’s Office as a Victim Advocate since October of 2001. She is primarily assigned to work cases in the city of Key West. She is the second Sheriff’s Office Victim Advocate to be recognized by the State of Florida; Deborah Shepherd was last year’s Florida Victim Advocate of the Year.
“I am so very proud of Elaine,” said Sheriff Bob Peryam. “She truly deserves this recognition. Her dedication to the victims of crime in Monroe County is amazing – she gives her all, every day, both to the Sheriff’s Office and to the victims she is charged with helping.”
Victim Advocates work in the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, and are on call 24 hours a day to respond to crime scenes where there are victims who need assistance. They frequently work with victims of the most violent or most heinous crimes. They help victims with obtaining services they need, whether it be counseling, medical assistance or monetary help. They don’t stop there, however; they continue to help victims as their cases progress, working with them to understand the criminal justice system, to deal with court issues and to obtain restitution if applicable.
Sheriff Peryam and KWPD Chief Donie Lee traveled to Tallahassee with Woodson and met with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Governor Rick Scott as they thanked Elaine for her tremendous service to the community and her selfless dedication to helping victims. 

Fire burns derelict semi-truck on island

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Photo courtesy of Deputy Nick Whiteman

Marathon – Deputies and firefighters responded to a fire onthe island in Boot Key Harbor Thursday afternoon.
The large trash fire sent a column of black smoke into theair at 4:50 p.m. as it burned a semi-truck and other items left on the island.
Deputy Nick Whiteman and firefighters responded to theisland on board a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission vessel to assessthe fire, which had almost burned itself out by that time.
There were no injuries involved in the incident.

Big Pine teen charged with business burglary

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A 17 year old Big Pine resident was arrested Thursday on an outstanding warrant for burglary, grand theft and criminal mischief.
The burglary to Paradise Petroleum on Big Pine Key took place on March 23^rd. 17 year old Nicholas Burttram was caught on surveillance tape throwing a large coral rock through the front glass door of the business.
Once inside, he stole a cardboard box with several hundred packets of Spice, a commercial product commonly smoked as a synthetic marijuana. Spice is no longer legal for sale in the state of Florida.
Detective David Cruz was assigned to investigate the case. Fingerprints were lifted at the scene, from the countertop of the business. Fingerprint comparisons confirmed they were Burttram’s. Once he was confronted with the evidence of his involvement, Burttram admitted to the break in.

Joint investigation into reported school incidents reveals no threat

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Monroe County – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the KeyWest Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation have beenworking with the Monroe County School District to investigate severalsuspicious incidents at county schools in recent weeks. The investigation hasdetermined there is no threat to students and the incidents are not a securitythreat of any kind.
The first report of a possibly suspicious incident came fromMarathon High School on April 24^th; two men who identifiedthemselves as Italian teachers who asked to tour the school after hours. Theywere granted a short tour and escorted off the property; afterward, because thevisit made the school employees uncomfortable, they reported it to theSheriff’s Office.
The school’s Principal, Hammond Gracy, also communicatedwith other school principals about what happened; shortly after thatcommunication, other schools began to report similar incidents which had takenplace in the past couple of weeks.
Key West Police responded to Glynn Archer Elementary Schooland Horace O’Bryant Middle School to take reports of visitors with possibleforeign accents wanting to tour those schools early last week. Key Largo Schoolrecalled several people with foreign accents showing up on that campus twoweeks ago asking for a tour; Islamorada’s Montessori School also remembered twowomen wanting a tour of the campus.
None of the reports indicated any threatening behavior bythe people wanting the tours; but law enforcement and school administratorsdecided to investigate further just in case. Given the nature of the reportedincidents, and the concern for the safety of Monroe County schools, the FederalBureau of Investigation’s local office was informed and became involved infollowing up the reports.
FBI investigators were able to determine none of theincidents were threatening in nature. They were able to identify and interviewthe visitors to the two schools in Key West and determined they posed no threatand were there for a legitimate purpose. They visited the Middle and Upper Keysschools as well, interviewed those school employees who were in contact withthe visitors and determined those incidents do not appear to be threatening innature and, indeed, appear to be isolated cases of people simply wanting totour a schools.
At a meeting held today at School Administrationheadquarters, all the agencies involved discussed the results of theinvestigation into the reported incidents. Sheriff’s Colonel Rick Ramsay, KWPDCaptain Scott Smith and Dr. Jesus Jara also discussed ways to streamline thecommunication process between the agencies in the future, and potential ways toimprove school security.
“ We are just glad to be able to report these incidents wereisolated, and appear to be innocent in nature,” said Colonel Rick Ramsay, afterattending a final meeting with KWPD, FBI and School Superintendant Dr. JesusJara. “All the agencies involved in this investigation worked extremely welltogether with the goal of keeping our kids safe; we have determined there is nothreat at this time. The fact that these incidents were reported quickly andinvestigated thoroughly shows the teamwork that exists between all of ouragencies.”
KWPD Captain Scott Smith had positive words about themulti-jurisdictional effort as well. “The City Police, County Sheriff’s Officeand the FBI have always had a good working relationship,” he said. “This jointinvestigation just goes to show that relationship extends to the SchoolDistrict as well. The safety of our kids is important to all of us and we arejust glad this investigation turned up no threat to our kids or to ourschools.”
“Security on our school campuses is always of paramountimportance to us,” said Dr. Jara. “When these incidents came to light, wepromptly brought them to the attention of law enforcement and worked with themthroughout their investigation. We, as school administrators, must stayvigilant when it comes to the safety of our kids and we are just glad theseincidents turned out to pose no threat to them, or to any of our employees.” 

Detectives need help identifying suspect

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 Click here to see the videoTavernier – Sheriff’s detectives need help identifying a mancaught on surveillance tape using a stolen debit card at a bank ATM inTavernier.
The card was stolen during a vehicle burglary April 18^that Key Largo Community Park. Unknown suspects broke a window in a van parked inthe parking lot and stole several bags from inside. A debit card from one ofthe bags was used that same day to make two withdrawals at Bank of America inTavernier for over $400.00. The Black male suspect wearing a white tank top andlong dark colored shorts is shown in the video getting out of a silver coloredsedan, walking up to the ATM and attempting to use the card to withdraw money.
Anyone who can help identify the suspect should contact theSheriff’s Office at 305-853-3211. Callers who wish to remain anonymous cancontact Crime Stoppers of the Florida Keys. If a tip leads to an arrest, thecaller will be eligible for a cash reward. Call 1-800-346-TIPS or go to www.tipsubmit.com.