Snapchat Leads to Child Pornography Charges in Southwest Harbor, MDEA Seizes Drugs at Ellsworth Hotel
Police logs
SOUTHWEST HARBOR MAN CHARGED BY FBI FOR SOLICITING CHILD PORNOGRAPHY
Gary Peters, 35, was charged last week for one count of soliciting child pornography, one count for the receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. The alleged charges came after an FBI search of his home on March 27.
The court records state, “Between about October 28, 2023 and about November 9, 2023, in the District of Maine and elsewhere, defendant GARY PETERS (capitalization theirs) did knowingly solicit through interstate commerce by use of a computer material and purported material that reflected the belief, and that was intended to cause another person to believe, that the material contained a visual depiction of an actual minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Specifically, the defendant used the internet to request explicit images from a child who was then outside the State of Maine.”
Special Agent Jose G. Rodriguez-Aguilar’s affidavit states that the alleged victim is eleven. Her parents located the images on her iPad. Peters and the girl had allegedly been interacting on Snapchat. The parents contacted authorities. The affidavit recounts messages between the two as well as images sent.
“Peters admitted to using Snapchat to contact and solicit nude images from minor girls,” Rodriguez-Aguilar wrote. “He admitted that he had obtained nude images of about one hundred girls from thirteen to eighteen years old using this method. He stated he knew it was wrong. Peters also estimated that he had about one thousand such images on his phone and that he had in the past moved images of this type to his laptop computer.”
There is at least one other alleged victim who has not yet been identified.
MDEA SEIZES DRUGS AT ELLSWORTH HOTEL
ELLSWORTH—On Monday, April 8th, 2024, following an investigation into possible drug trafficking at a local hotel, a Massachusetts man was arrested and charged with felony drug trafficking offenses.
Investigators with MDEA’s Down East Task Force, assigned to cover Hancock and Washington Counties, working jointly with investigators and officers with the Ellsworth Police Department conducted surveillance on a room at the Hawthorn Extended Stay Hotel in Ellsworth. The investigation was based on complaints of suspected drug trafficking from the room. Based on the investigation agents were granted a search warrant for the hotel room.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on Monday, agents, along with Ellsworth police officers executed the search warrant on the hotel room. Seized as a result of the investigation were over 180 grams of cocaine base (crack), 16 grams of fentanyl, 15 grams of Xylazine, 3 grams of cocaine, and $566 in suspected drug proceeds.
As a result of the search warrant and investigation, 40-year-old Asa Polk, of Boston, Massachusetts, was arrested and charged with two counts of class A aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs and unlawful possession of a schedule W drug. Due to the seriousness of the charges bail was not set. Polk will be arraigned in Hancock County Court tomorrow.
The MDEA stands committed to working with all federal, state, county, and local law enforcement partners in order to continue to identify and disrupt drug trafficking organizations who are attempting to distribute illicit drugs in the State of Maine.
All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you suffer with substance use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
BAR HARBOR AND MOUNT DESERT
BAR HARBOR—The following incidents occurred in Bar Harbor and Mount Desert last week according to the Bar Harbor and Mount Desert Police Department police logs, which is publicly released information.
Monday, April 8, 2024
Eric Taylor, 50, of Bar Harbor, was driving a 2020 Honda pickup south on Eden Street in Bar Harbor when a deer entered the roadway and was allegedly struck by Taylor’s vehicle. There was no reported personal injury. The truck suffered front end damage.
Office Lukas Keene transported someone in Bar Harbor to the hospital at their request because they were experiencing a mental health crisis.
Officer Ted Cake conducted a well-being check on a member of the Good Morning Program in Mount Desert and found the person to be all set.
Sgt. Jerrod Hardy spoke with someone in Bar Harbor about how to request a protection from abuse/harassment order.
Several people in Bar Harbor reported to Officer Liam Harrington that a theft that had taken place out of state. The complaint is under investigation.
After conducting a traffic stop in Bar Harbor, Sgt. Doug Brundrett issued a summons to Valerie Del Cid, 25, of Sanford, Maine, for alleged operating with a suspended registration.
Officer Harrington spoke with some people in Bar Harbor about a civil matter.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
After receiving a report of suspicious behavior in Bar Harbor, Officer Nathan Formby warned the people involved in the suspicious behavior for disorderly conduct.
Someone reported a bag in the road on Route 3 in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer T. Cake conducted a well-being check on a member of the Good Morning Program in Mount Desert and found the person to be all set.
Someone called the Bar Harbor Police Department to report some information.
Officer Elias Burne spoke with someone in Bar Harbor about a harassment issue.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a motor vehicle complaint on Route 102 in Bar Harbor but all officers were out of position to locate the vehicle.
Officer Harrington provided a ride to some people in need in Mount Desert.
A Bar Harbor woman complained about loud noise in the area of Wayman Lane. A report was taken.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Andrew Nadeau, 45, of Glenburn, parked his 2023 Chevy Silverado on Main Street in Bar Harbor and came back to find his driver’s side mirror damaged by an unknown person or vehicle.
Kimberly S. Swan, 61, of Bar Harbor, was parking her 2022 Range Rover in a parking space on Mount Desert Street when she allegedly struck the front bumper of a 2016 Jeep Wrangler which had been previously parked by Leslyn M. Shea, 56, of Bar Harbor. There was no reported personal injury. The Range Rover suffered minor damage to the rear passenger’s side door and the Jeep suffered damage to the driver’s side front bumper.
Sgt. Hardy gave someone a ride home in Bar Harbor.
Judy T. McPherson, 87, of Mount Desert, was driving a 2109 Honda CR-V north on Otter Creek Drive in Otter Creek when a deer entered the roadway and was allegedly struck by McPherson’s vehicle. There was no reported personal injury. The Honda suffered extensive front-end damage.
An employee of a Bar Harbor business reported being assaulted by the business’ owner. The report is being investigated by Officer Harrington.
Officer Burne conducted a well-being check in Bar Harbor and located the subject of the check later.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Sgt. Chris Dickens spoke with someone in Bar Harbor and advised them on how to make itinerary notifications for traveling while on federal probation.
Someone in Bar Harbor reported a scam call from someone pretending to be their grandchild and requesting bail money. The complainant recognized it as a scam call and no money was lost.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a report of a low hanging wire on Old Bar Harbor Road and notified the utility company.
Mental Health Liaison Melissa Tozier assisted someone with personal issues in Bar Harbor.
The Bar Harbor Police Department received a report that Consolidated Communication crews had left equipment in the roadway on Route 102 in Bar Harbor. Consolidated came back and removed the equipment.
Officer Amie Torrey received a report of an attempted scam in Mount Desert. No money was lost.
Officer Torrey received a report of littering in Mount Desert. No further information or disposition was given.
Officer Troy Stanwood had a conversation with someone in Bar Harbor who just needed a person to talk to.
Friday, April 12, 2024
Officer Judson Cake transported someone in Bar Harbor, who was in crisis, to the hospital.
Sgt. Dickens investigated a report of a motor vehicle that had been parked on Route 3 in the area of the Tarn in Bar Harbor for an extended period of time. The vehicle was gone upon Sgt. Dickens’ arrival.
Officer Caleb Mora investigated the report of a deceased man in Bar Harbor and found the death to be not suspicious and a result of natural causes.
Sgt. Dickens checked on a motor vehicle parked on the shoulder of Route 3 in the area of Otter Cliffs Road in Bar Harbor. No further information or disposition was given.
Sgt. Dickens looked for a dog that was reported to be running loose on Ledgelawn Avenue in Bar Harbor but could not locate the dog.
Divya Menon, 35, of Bar Harbor, was attempting to park a 2015 Honda Accord on Cottage Street in Bar Harbor when the Honda allegedly struck a 2019 Volkswagen Atlas that had been previously parked by Katie Grinnell-Wiberg, 39, of Southwest Harbor. There was no reported personal injury. The Honda had a bent license plate and the Atlas had no apparent damage.
Sgt. Dickens fingerprinted someone in Bar Harbor for employment purposes.
Officer Mora performed a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be all set.
Officer Burne provided a ride to someone in Bar Harbor.
An officer conducted a well-being check on someone in Bar Harbor and found them to be okay.
Officer Burne responded to a motor vehicle complaint in Bar Harbor but could not locate the suspect vehicle.
Officers “checked several local (Bar Harbor) bars. No issues reported.”
Saturday, April 13, 2024
The Bar Harbor Police Department received some information and as a result, someone was given trespass warnings for several locations in town.
Lt. Kevin Edgecomb was heading to Southwest Harbor after a Southwest Harbor officer was out of contact with their dispatch for an extended period of time. Lt. Edgecomb’s response was cancelled before he could arrive because the officer contacted the Southwest Harbor dispatch.
A Bar Harbor officer spoke with a New York City detective in regard to an investigation in New York.
An officer spoke with a woman from New Mexico at the Bar Harbor Police Department in regard to a civil matter.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR AND TREMONT
SOUTHWEST HARBOR––The following incidents occurred in Southwest Harbor last week according to the Southwest Harbor Police Department police log, which is publicly released information.
Monday, April 8, 2024
After responding to a local business for a complaint of an employee who was acting weird, Officer Ryan Blakeney arrested an unnamed individual for alleged possession of schedule W drugs and transported them to the Hancock County Jail.
Officer Blakeney performed a well-being check on an employee at the request of their employer but could not locate the subject of the well-being check. A family member of the employee later called the police department and told the department where the person was and that they would be in touch with their employer.
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Someone called 911 stating that they were locked out of their hotel room but said that they had just made contact with the manager to let them in and were all set.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
No reports.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
Officer Blakeney responded to a business alarm and checked the area. The security company then called back to cancel the alarm.
Friday, April 12, 2024
Lt. Franklin Burke received a report of a property damage accident in which a vehicle allegedly hit a pillar at a local hotel. After investigation, Brandon Hodgdon, 50, of Tremont, was summonsed for alleged leaving the scene of a property damage accident.
Approximately one hour later, Lt. Burke summonsed Brandon Hodgdon, 50, of Tremont, for alleged violation of conditions of release.
Saturday, April 13, 2024
Lt. Burke communicated with a man on the phone who was in a mental crisis. The call was passed on to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department due to the fact that the man was in Tremont.
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Someone brought a weapon into the police department to be destroyed.
STATE POLICE PRESS RELEASES
These are the Maine State Police press releases from the last few days. The Bar Harbor Story will include this each week though most (and sometimes all) do not occur in Bar Harbor.
Fire Marshal’s Office Investigates Fire that Critically Injured a Bangor Man
BANGOR—On Thursday, March 14, 2024, at approximately 12:10 p.m., the Bangor Fire Department responded to a residential fire at 1343 Ohio Street in Bangor. One of the occupants, a 75-year-old male, was rescued from the home by the Bangor Fire Department and transported to Eastern Maine Medical Center with severe burn injuries. He was later transported via Life Flight to Maine Medical Center in Portland. A second male, who also lived at the home, was not injured. The fire remains under investigation. The Fire Marshal’s Office is being assisted in the investigation by the Bangor Police Department.
The Bangor man injured in this fire last month died from his injuries on Sunday, April 7, 2024. He has been identified as 75-year-old Lawrence Dawson. The fire remains under investigation.
Maine State Police Investigating Fatal Crash in Steuben
STEUBEN—On Thursday, April 11, 2024, at approximately 12:47 p.m., troopers responded to a report of a fatal motor vehicle crash on Route 1 in Steuben. The initial investigation indicates that a red 2014 Nissan Rogue being operated by 36-year-old Nicholas Libby, of Addison, was traveling east on Route 1 in Steuben when his vehicle crossed the center line of the road and struck a silver 2003 Subaru Forrester being operated by 51-year-old David Worcester, of Lamoine.
Worcester was pronounced deceased at the scene. Libby was transported to Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Hospital in Bangor to be treated for serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation. The State Police were assisted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, the Ellsworth Police Department, and the Steuben Fire Department.
Maine State Police investigating Murder-Suicide in Minot
MINOT—On Thursday, April 11, 2024, the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office received a request for a welfare check at 425 Millett Road in Minot. Deputies responded and checked the residence shortly after 6:00 a.m. and located the bodies of two deceased people. The Maine State Police Major Crimes unit was contacted to assist in the investigation. The two deceased individuals were transported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) in Augusta where autopsies were conducted.
The OCME identified the victim as 19-year-old Emali Sallee, of Lewiston, and ruled the manner of her death as a homicide. The second person was identified as 20-year-old Tyson Peters, of Minot, who died as the result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sallee and Peters were in a relationship at the time. No further information is being released at this time. This incident appears to be isolated and there is no threat to the public.
MDEA PRESS RELEASE
PORTLAND—On Thursday, April 11, 2024, at approximately 1:00 p.m., MDEA agents and officers with the Portland Police Department arrested 30-year-old James Ferrar, of Portland, without incident as he delivered fentanyl to an undercover agent in the west end of Portland.
MDEA and Portland police have been investigating Ferrar for the past month as he distributed fentanyl throughout the west end area of Portland. During the joint investigation agents conducted undercover purchases directly from Ferrar.
After Ferrar’s arrest, agents executed a search warrant at Ferrar’s Portland apartment located at 252 Vaughn Street. As a result of the search, in excess of 100 grams of fentanyl, digital scales, packaging materials, and other items indicative of illegal drug trafficking (were seized). The fentanyl was packaged in assorted weights in preparation for resale. The approximate street value of the seized fentanyl is $10,000.
Ferrar was charged with three counts of unlawful trafficking in schedule W drugs and faces additional drug trafficking charges related to the seized fentanyl. Ferrar was transported to the Cumberland County Jail where bail was set at $1000.
All persons arrested are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
If you suffer with substance use disorder, please call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 for a list of resources available in your area.
If you have information about this investigation or the illegal sale of drugs in your community, you are urged to contact the Maine Drug Enforcement office closest to you or by texting MDEA to TIP411 (847411) or by calling the MDEA tip-line at 1-800-452-6457.
Fires in Woolwich and Dresden Lead to Arson Arrests
WOOLRICH AND DRESDEN—On Sunday, April 14, 2024, at approximately 1:22 a.m., the Woolwich Fire Department responded to a fire at a vacant building located at 506 Old Stage Road in Woolwich.
Approximately 15 minutes later, a fire was reported to the Dresden Fire Department. That fire involved a vacant mobile home located at 1248 Middle Road in Dresden.
A team of Investigators from the Fire Marshal’s Office responded and worked throughout the morning and most of the day on the investigations. At approximately 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 14, 2024, the Dresden Fire Department responded to another fire at 1161 Middle Road. This fire also involved a vacant mobile home, which was under renovation. This fire was also investigated by the Fire Marshal’s Office.
As a result of the investigations, four individuals were charged with two counts of Arson. 18-year-old Savannah Breton, of Woolwich, 19-year-old Patrick Kane, of Topsham, and 36-year-old Robert Mathews, of Lisbon, were arrested and charged with two counts of Arson. They were transported to Two Bridges Jail in Wiscasset. Bail for Breton and Kane was set at $20,000 cash. Matthews is being held on no bail as Matthews was out on three sets of unrelated bail.
A juvenile from Lisbon was also charged with two counts of arson and conditionally released to a guardian. The investigation continues and more charges may be forthcoming.
Maine State Police Responds to Vehicle Fire on I-95 in Veazie
On Monday, April 15, 2024, at approximately 10:01 a.m., the Maine State Police responded to a vehicle fire on I-95 at mile marker 189 southbound in Veazie. When troopers arrived they observed a 2016 Kia Sorento pulled to the right side of the roadway fully engulfed in flames.
With the assistance of some passersby, the operator, 82-year-old Robert Scott and his 81-year-old wife Carolyn Scott, of Milford, had made it out of the car prior to it becoming fully engulfed. It appears as if the vehicle was having some brake issues prior to Scott coming to a stop, as he applied the brakes and was initially unable to stop. There were no injuries.
The Interstate was shut down for approximately 30 minutes to allow the Bangor Fire Department to extinguish the fire.
HANCOCK COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT
The following are the public releases from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department. Each image can be clicked on and expanded.
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