AUGUSTA — A West Gardiner couple has been indicted by a grand jury in Kennebec County on charges of misuse of entrusted property and theft by unauthorized taking.

Jeffrey McKechnie, 56, and Karen L. McKechnie, 55, are accused of falsely endorsing checks belonging to a relative and depriving that person of more than $1,000. The offenses allegedly occurred May 1 through Aug. 4, 2017, in Pittston.

The case was investigated by Maine State Police Trooper Nicholas Gleeson.

Attorney Pasquale “Pat” Perrino, who represents the couple, said they intend to plead not guilty to the charges at arraignment.

“My position is they never intended fraud,” Perrino said Tuesday. “They were managing family money, and they, in fact, paid the money back. Personally, I don’t think the state’s got a case. You have to intentionally deprive the owners, and they have no intention of depriving them.”

An indictment is not a determination of guilt, but it indicates that there is enough evidence to proceed with formal charges and a trial.

Arraignment on the charges will be scheduled shortly.

A number of other people were indicted by the same grand jury last week:

• Lucas James Blair, 27, of Readfield, domestic violence assault and domestic violence criminal threatening Dec. 28, 2017, in Readfield.

• Dustin D. Coffey, 28, of China, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon Feb. 22, 2018, in Waterville.

• Shaun P. Cook, 46, of Waterville, domestic violence assault, obstructing report of crime or injury, criminal mischief and domestic violence assault, all Feb. 18, 2018, in Waterville.

• Brandon M. Deraps, 27, of Franklin, gross sexual assault, assault and criminal threatening Oct. 7, 2017, in Augusta.

• Aaron M. Esposito, 35, of Waterville, criminal threatening and criminal trespass Dec. 17, 2017, in Waterville.

• Katie M. Goodale, 32, of Waterville, robbery, theft by unauthorized taking and assault Dec. 30, 2017, in Waterville.

• Glenn Harris, also known as Glenn Edward Harris and Geno, 53, of Vassalboro, two counts of unlawful trafficking in cocaine base in Waterville, one each on Aug. 8, 2017, and Sept. 12, 2017.

• Cletus Thelton Jernigan, 58, of Gardiner, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and assault Jan. 4, 2017, in Waterville.

• Bradey Allen Luce, 19, of Waterville, robbery, burglary, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault, theft by unauthorized taking, stealing drugs and criminal mischief, all Feb. 6, 2018, in Winslow; robbery, aggravated assault, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and theft by unauthorized taking, all Jan. 28, 2018, in Waterville; burglary, theft by unauthorized taking and criminal mischief, all Nov. 9, 2017, in Vassalboro.

• Joseph G. Munster III, 37, of Vassalboro, two counts of unlawful trafficking in fentanyl in Vassalboro, one each on Nov. 8, 2017, and Nov. 27, 2017.

• Daniel Thomas Nichols, 30, of Manchester, theft by unauthorized taking and forgery Dec. 14, 2017 through Aug. 6, 2017 in Manchester, involving more than $10,000 belonging to the Manchester Grange.

• Gary R. Page Jr., 35, of Hartland, theft by deception Nov. 11, 2017 through Jan. 2, 2018, in Rome.

• Ricard D. Pellerin, 29, of Hallowell, unlawful trafficking in heroin and unlawful trafficking in cocaine base, both on Feb. 6, 2018, in Augusta.

• Jessica Lee Pooler, 30, of Waterville, aggravated trafficking in cocaine base, unlawful possession of heroin, illegal possession of hypodermic apparatuses, unlawful possession of phenobarbital and unlawful possession of over 2.5 ounces of marijuana, all Nov. 26, 2017, in Winslow; aggravated unlawful furnishing of heroin and criminal forfeiture of $411 in cash seized, both Jan. 8, 2018, in Winslow.

• Sean A. Rancourt, 33, of Waterville, aggravated trafficking in fentanyl powder “and death was in fact caused by the use of that scheduled drug” Dec. 15, 2017, in Waterville.

• Steven F. Shaw Jr., 31, of Canaan, assault on an officer, refusing to submit to arrest, and violation of condition of release Jan. 14, 2018, in Waterville.

• Kijaume Taft, also known as Kijuame Sequone Taft, Blue, Pretty Eyes, Melo and KJ, 38, of Auburn, Maine, aggravated trafficking in heroin, unlawful trafficking in heroin, unlawful trafficking in cocaine base, all in Feb. 1, 2017, in the Waterville and Winslow area, and criminal forfeiture of $4,033 and a 2003 Ford Explorer, both of which were seized Feb. 1, 2017, in Winslow.

• Marie Rose Towers, 38, of Waterville, two counts of aggravated trafficking in cocaine Nov. 10, 2017, and Nov. 16, 2017; unlawful trafficking of cocaine, operating after suspension, and violation of condition of release Jan. 29, 2018, all in Waterville.

• Wyatt Daril Wilson, 41, of Augusta, theft by unauthorized taking of merchandise and/or a shopping cart belonging to Walmart on Feb. 12, 2018, in Augusta.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams