Franklin County Sheriff’s Department weekly report for Jan. 23 – 30, 2015:
1/23/2015 Deputy Nicholas Zecher and Deputy Matt Brann assisted Strong Fire Department with a structure fire on the Norton Hill Road in Strong.
1/23/2015 Deputy Brann and Detective Ken Charles investigated a report of someone shooting at a barn in Industry. As a result of the investigation, a juvenile suspect was charged with a misdemeanor reckless conduct with a firearm.
1/24/2015 Cpl. Nate Bean investigated a child custody complaint on Ridge Road in Chesterville.
1/24/2015 Cpl. Nate Reid assisted Wilton police with an accident. Someone had backed into a Wilton police department cruiser.
1/24/2015 Deputy Kevin Hartley investigated a car vs. deer accident on the Hovey Road in New Sharon. The deer ran off.
1/24/2015 Deputy Hartley, while patrolling Route 27 in New Vineyard, noticed, as a car passed him that it had an expired inspection certificate. When he turned around his cruiser to pursue the car, it reportedly sped off. Hartley eventually caught up to the car and said he could see the driver and passenger switch places. As a result of the stop, William Serafino of New Portland was arrested on misdemeanor charges of failure to stop for an officer and operating after suspension. Serafino was also charged with the civil infractions of speeding and an uninspected motor vehicle.
1/24/2015 Deputy Brann investigated a report of a 16-year-old juvenile who refused to return home on Foster Hill Road, Freeman Twp.
1/24/2015 Deputy Brann investigated a report of a drunk driver on the Weeks Mills Road in New Sharon.
1/25/2015 Deputy Hartley investigated a civil issue on Harold Ross Road in Dallas Plt.
1/25/2015 Cpl. Bean assisted Farmington police with a report of a burglary in progress at the Community Center.
1/25/2015 Deputy Brann assisted Rangeley police with the search for stolen snowmobiles allegedly in the Stratton area. Brann did not find the missing machines.
1/26/2015 Deputy Zecher responded to Grant Cove Road in Eustis regarding assisting EMS personnel with a patient who was transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital for evaluation.
1/26/2015 Cpl. Reid and Deputy Hartley responded to River Road in Avon to assist Trooper Reid Bond with an “out-of-control” juvenile that was allegedly attempting to access firearms in the house.
1/26/2015 Lt. David St. Laurent and Detective Ken Charles investigated a gross sexual assault complaint that occurred 5 years ago in the town of Farmington. As a result of the investigation, Shawn Flagg of Stetson (originally from Farmington) was arrested on a Class A charge of gross sexual assault against a minor. Flagg was located and interviewed at Penobscot County jail where he is currently facing other charges not connected to the GSA. Flagg’s bail was set at $10,000 cash in Franklin County. He will eventually be transported to Franklin County Jail and make his initial appearance.
1/26/2015 Deputy Brann responded to Carrabassett Road in Coplin Plt regarding a trespassing complaint.
1/26/2015 Deputy Zecher conducted a welfare check on Park St. in Phillips.
1/27/2015 Deputy Colt Bernhardt assisted State Police with an accident on Route 27 in New Vineyard.
1/28/2015 Deputy Sandy Burke investigated a gas drive-off complaint at Anni’s Market in Kingfield.
1/28/2015 Deputy Zecher investigated a fraud complaint on River Road in Madrid.
1/28/2015 Deputy Bernhardt investigated a complaint of snow being plowed into the road from a driveway on Mile Square Road in Phillips.
1/29/2015 Deputy Brann assisted Farmington police with a domestic disturbance on Skunk Hollow Road in Farmington.
1/29/2015 Deputy Zecher investigated a report of gunshots being fired in Wyman Twp. near Route 27.
1/29/2015 Deputy Bernhardt assisted Somerset County Sheriff’s Department by investigating an accident on Route 27 just north of the New Vineyard town line.
Deputies conducted 5 Elder Checks and 67 building checks during this reporting period, all were secure.
– Submitted by Sheriff Scott Nichols
“1/23/2015 Deputy Brann and Detective Ken Charles investigated a report of someone shooting at a barn in Industry. As a result of the investigation, a juvenile suspect was charged with a misdemeanor reckless conduct with a firearm. “
And what about reckless conduct charges for the Parents/Guardians? After all, either they allowed this behavior, or were reckless in their lack of supervision of their firearms/minor charge.
I’m certainly NOT anti-gun by any means, but I am all for responsible conduct with said items. Part of that is, juveniles should only be handling weapons under the supervision of a responsible and trained adult.
Again, I am not anti-gun, nor do I think children should not ever be trained in their safe and responsible use. (In fact, just the opposite) BUT, as children, they are not as judicious in their use, nor are they likely to think of the consequences of misuse. Therefore, again I ask: What of the Parents/Guardians? Did the child have permission to do as they did? If so, will the adults be charged as well? And if not, why/how did the child have unfettered access to the weapon/ammunition?
Firearms are not toys, nor do they have any capacity to exercise judgement or restraint. They are merely tools in the hands of the user. And with such a powerful tool, it incumbent upon the responsible (Adult) person in charge of said tool, to show good judgement in how it is used, and by whom.
someone probably told them they couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn (oof.)
I agree with you Mark. You have it totally right.