Grand jury indicts burglary suspect, 26 others

Jeromy Merchant faces 19 counts relating to an alleged burglary spree.

FARMINGTON - The Franklin County Grand Jury rose Thursday afternoon to indict a Livermore Falls man facing 19 counts of burglary, theft or related charges, as well as 26 others accused of felony crimes.

Jeromy Merchant, 31, with a last known address on Munsey Avenue in Livermore Falls, was arrested at Bradbury's  Market in Carthage on July 10, following a search by the Franklin County Sheriff's Department and other local agencies. The search was initiated after a homeowner on the Center Hill Road in Weld reported that someone had tried to break into their residence with a screwdriver. FCSD personnel interviewed Merchant that afternoon, in which he made "admissions to committing numerous burglaries in the past four weeks," according to FCSD Lt. Niles Yeaton.

Merchant was initially charged with 15 counts of criminal conduct. The grand jury indicted Merchant on 19 counts,  including seven counts of burglary, a Class B felony, seven counts of theft, two counts of receiving stolen property and one count of attempted burglary, all Class C felonies, as well as possessing burglary tools and violating the conditions of release, both of which are misdemeanor offenses.

The VCR charge stems from Merchant being out on probation from a 2010 aggravated criminal trespass conviction when the alleged criminal activity occurred. According to the District Attorney's Office, Merchant has as much as 5 years of a suspended sentence hanging over his head.

Also indicted was Michael Beall, 27, of Jay, on three counts relating to the alleged beating, stabbing and biting of a woman in May. Beall was indicted on one count of aggravated assault, a Class B felony, one count of domestic violence assault with prior convictions, a Class C felony, and obstructing the report of injury, a misdemeanor.

Jay police responded to a Main Street apartment complex on May 18 after receiving a report of a domestic assault. Police spoke with a woman who appeared badly beaten; the alleged victim told police that Beall had beaten her face and head at 8 p.m. Thursday evening, in addition to slashing her with a knife and causing injuries to her neck and thumb. At one point, police were reportedly told, Beall attempted to suffocate the victim, and also bit her on the arm.

The woman also told police that Beall would not allow her to contact police or medical assistance. According to police, no one else lives in the apartment complex and no one reported hearing the altercation.

Another Jay man was also indicted by the grand jury, on three counts relating to sex crimes allegedly perpetrated against the alleged victim when they were between the ages of 9 and 15. David Grover, 53, of Jay, was indicted on one count of unlawful sexual contact, a Class A felony, as well as one count gross sexual assault and one count unlawful sexual contact, both Class B felonies.

Other individuals indicted by the grand jury include:

Jason Abbott, 29, of Livermore Falls, was indicted on two counts of terrorizing with prior convictions, both Class C felonies, a misdemeanor count of terrorizing and violating the condition of his release.

Devan Barrows, 18, of Wilton, was indicted on one count of aggravated criminal trespass, a Class C felony, as well as misdemeanor assault.

Cory Bellefeuille, 31, of Lewiston, was indicted on one count of aggravated criminal mischief and stealing drugs, both Class C felonies, as well as misdemeanor domestic violence assault and terrorizing.

Dillen Bronish, 20, of Jay, was indicted on on count of burglary, a Class C felony, and misdemeanor theft.

Gary Choate, 25, of Jay, was indicted on burglary, a Class C felony, and misdemeanor theft and violating the conditions of his release.

Jammie Cote, 28, of Farmington, was indicted on one count of assault, with the indictment alleging the assault occurred against a child under the age of 6.

Richard Deleskey, 31, of Salem, Mass., was indicted on two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon, Class C felonies, as well as misdemeanor hunting without a license and night hunting.

David Farrington, 19, of Jay, was indicted on one count of eluding an officer, a Class C felony, as well as misdemeanor operating a vehicle without a license, driving to endanger and improper plates.

Joel Flanagin, 30, of Anson, was indicted on one count of domestic violence assault with prior conviction, a Class C felony, as well as misdemeanor violating a protection from abuse order and criminal trespass.

Michael Ford, 31, of Rangeley, was indicted on one count of domestic violence with prior conviction and aggravated criminal mischief, both Class C felonies, as well as misdemeanor violating a protection from abuse order and criminal mischief.

William Gallant, 24, of Weld, was indicted on one count of operating a vehicle after revocation of license with prior conviction, a Class C felony.

Seth Hinkley, 26, of Strong, was indicted on one count of possession of a firearm by a felon, a Class C felony.

Brian Johnson, 28, of Wilton, was indicted on one count of trafficking in Schedule W drugs, a Class B felony.

Spencer Knox, 18, of Carthage, was indicted on one count burglary, a Class B felony, as well as misdemeanor stealing drugs and criminal mischief.

Aaron Nile, 30, of Jay, was indicted on one count domestic violence with prior conviction, a Class C felony, as well as misdemeanor assault.

Jonathan Nurse, 38, of Wilton, was indicted on one count of assault with prior conviction and criminal threatening with prior conviction, both Class C felonies, as well as misdemeanor obstructing report of a crime.

Shawn Porter, 31, of North Vassalboro, was indicted on one count of possession of Hydrocodone, a Class C felony.

Joshua Rinaldi, 31, of Wilton, was indicted on one count of domestic violence assault with prior conviction and terrorizing with prior conviction, both Class C felonies.

Daniel Rowe AKA Dana Rowe, 54, of New Vineyard, was indicted on one count of operating a vehicle after revocation with three or more prior convictions, a Class C felony.

Brian Schwenneker, 35, of Augusta, was indicted on one count of failure to register as a sex offender, a Class C felony.

Kenneth Tourtleotte, 37, of Wilton, was on one count of domestic violence assault with prior conviction, a Class C felony.

Kelly Trenoweth-Hall, 32, of Wilton, was indicted on three counts of domestic violence assault with prior convictions, assault on an EMT, assault on an officer and aggravated criminal mischief, all of which are Class C felonies, as well as refusing to submit to arrest, a misdemeanor. In a separate case, she was also indicted on domestic violence assault with prior convictions, a Class C felony, as well as violating the conditions of her release, a misdemeanor.

Danny Trexler, 39, of Farmington, was indicted on one count of operating a vehicle after revocation with prior convictions, a Class C felony.

Jason Whitney, 28, of Wilton, was indicted on two counts of theft, Class B felonies, as well as misdemeanor theft and violating the conditions of his release.