SKOWHEGAN — A Norridgewock man has been indicted on charges that he led police on a high-speed vehicle chase on two separate occasions.
Lawrence R. Knowles, 55, of Norridgewock, was among those listed in indictments handed up Friday by the Somerset County Grand Jury.
The first incident, on Dec. 20, 2020, in Madison, began when Deputy Craig Dyer of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office allegedly witnessed Knowles driving toward downtown Madison, traveling between 65-70 mph. The road was near Madison Area Memorial High School and the speed limit had been posted at 15 mph in the school zone.
After attempting to pull the vehicle over, Knowles took off, headed southbound on White School House Road for about 2.1 miles and at times attempted to disable the police vehicle, police said.
Following this, Knowles was charged with eluding an officer, refusing to submit to arrest, improper plates, criminal speed and driving to endanger.
On Feb. 2, Knowles allegedly led Maine State Police on a pursuit that began in Belgrade and ended with Knowles’s arrest in Mercer. During this incident, Knowles had allegedly been operating in a pickup truck that had been stolen on state Route 8 in Belgrade when he was spotted by a trooper, police said.
After attempting to pull the vehicle over, Knowles apparently took off, which police said resulted in a chase that lasted about 20 minutes. Spike mats were deployed which disabled the vehicle.
Following this chase, which was not considered to be high-speed, Knowles faces charges of theft by unauthorized taking and violation of conditions of release.
Also indicted in a separate case is Joshua R. Savage, 32, of Norridgewock, who is charged with manslaughter and aggravated criminal operating under the influence.
On Nov. 17, 2020, in Norridgewock, Savage was allegedly heading north on Waterville Road when his vehicle collided with another in the opposite traveling lane. In doing this, Savage struck another vehicle heading south, killing Sally McKinley, 85, of Farmington, upon impact and injuring her son, William, in the crash.
Documents allege that Savage was operating under the influence of intoxicants, causing the death of another individual.
An indictment is not a finding of guilt, but an indication that there is enough evidence in a case to move forward with a trial.
Other indictments covered cases involving sexual assault, drug offenses and domestic violence.
• Diadema D. Rand, 30, of Bangor, charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and two counts of unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. On Sept. 27, 2020, in Fairfield, Rand was allegedly found trafficking in 6 grams of heroin and in possession of heroin and methamphetamine.
• Ashton McKenney, 22, of Palmyra, charged with one count of gross sexual assault, sexual abuse of a minor, furnishing liquor to a minor and assault. On Dec. 30 and Dec. 31, 2020, in St. Albans, McKenney allegedly engaged in sexual acts with a minor, ages 14-15, who he also provided alcohol to. Also on those dates, McKenney allegedly assaulted another individual.
• Leo P. Valcourt, 47, of Harmony, charged with violation of a protective order, alleged to have happened on March 17 in Fairfield.
• Ryan Cottle, 36, of Houlton, charged with unlawful possession of scheduled drugs. On March 28, Cottle was allegedly found in possession of 200 milligrams of methamphetamine.
• Juan E. Nunez, 38, of Jersey City, New Jersey, charged with five counts of aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs and three counts of criminal forfeiture. On Jan. 27, in Concord, Nunez was allegedly found to be trafficking in 32 grams of cocaine, cocaine base and 112 grams of cocaine while also in possession of a firearm “in furtherance of the offense.”
• James R. Dillon, 35, of Lexington Township, charged with receiving stolen property. On Sept. 12, 2018, Dillon allegedly received a firearm that he knew had been stolen.
• Patrick A. Smith, 25, of Columbus, Ohio, charged with eluding an officer, criminal speed and driving to endanger. On Aug. 14, 2020, in Pittsfield, Smith allegedly attempted to elude a police officer while operating at a reckless rate of speed, resulting in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. Smith allegedly reached a speed of 131 mph and operated “with criminal negligence.”
• Ryan D. Gagne, 33, of Pittsfield, charged with aggravated operating under the influence and operating after revocation. On Nov. 5, 2020, Gagne allegedly operated a motor vehicle while under the influence with a revoked license. Gagne has three prior convictions within the last decade for criminal operating under the influence; Oct. 16, 2015, Feb. 11, 2016, and May 25, 2017.
• Garrett M. Henry, 37, of Hartland, charged with domestic violence assault. On May 8, in Hartland, Henry allegedly caused bodily harm to a family or household member. Within the last decade, Henry has had one or more convictions for domestic violence assault; Sept. 3, 2019, and April 8, 2014.
• David Allen Fortier, 33, of Skowhegan, charged with three counts of aggravated forgery and two counts of theft by unauthorized taking. On March 9, 2020, in Skowhegan, Fortier allegedly falsified documents and is accused of taking printer ink cartridges, earrings, tools and a pair of shoes from Walmart.
• Sarai I. York, 39, of Madison, charged with violation of conditions of release. On April 13, York was allegedly in contact with an individual whom she was not to have contact with under the terms of pre-conviction bail.
• Heather E. Corey, 42, of North Anson, charged with violation of conditions of release. On Sept. 19, 2020, in Palmyra, Corey allegedly was in contact with an individual whom she was not to have contact with under the terms of pre-conviction bail.
• Damien L. Raymond, 37, of Embden, charged with burglary and theft by unauthorized taking. On Jan. 1, in New Portland, Raymond allegedly entered a property with the intent to commit theft and took control of a computer, chainsaws, assorted tools, batteries and miscellaneous items.
• Payson Howard Viles, 22, of Canaan, charged with aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs and three counts of violation of conditions of release. On May 1, in Madison, Viles was allegedly found trafficking in Baclofen within 1,000 feet of a school or designated safe zone, which are in violations of pre-conviction bail conditions, which state that Viles must refrain from possessing a dangerous weapon, abiding by a curfew and committing criminal acts.
• Jody A. Davis, 47, of Norridgewock, charged with burglary and theft by unauthorized taking. On Feb. 1, in Norridgewock, David allegedly entered another individuals dwelling and took control of tools and equipment that belonged to someone else.
• James Cody, 56, of Madison, charged with gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact. On Sept. 1, 2019, in Madison, Cody allegedly engaged in sexual acts with an individual under the age of 12.
• Joshua D. Elliott, 39, of Clinton, charged with criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, operating after suspension and driving to endanger. On April 22, 2020, in Fairfield, Elliott allegedly threatened another individual with a knife. Also on this date, Elliott allegedly operated a motor vehicle with a suspended license and operated in a way that endangered others on the roadway.
In a separate indictment Elliott was charged with burglary, theft by unauthorized taking and violation of conditions of release. On Feb. 1, in Norridgewock, Elliott allegedly entered a dwelling of another individual and obtained control of tools and equipment. Both acts were violation of pre-conviction bail conditions, which include not committing criminal acts. On March 6, 2014, Elliott was convicted of receiving stolen property; on Feb. 1, 2016, Elliott was convicted of burglary.
• Joey L. Sherburne, 50, of Hartland, charged with violation of conditions of release. On Feb. 17, in Hartland, Sherburne allegedly was in contact with an individual whom Sherburne was not to have contact with under the terms of pre-conviction bail.
In a separate indictment Sherburne was charged with operating after revocation, failure to stop for an officer and violation of conditions of release. On March 14, in Hartland, allegedly knowingly operated a motor vehicle with a revoked license and then failed to stop for law enforcement. Both acts violated pre-conviction bail conditions, which state that Sherburne must not commit criminal acts.
• Justin D. Landry, 38, of Madison, charged with failure to report and violation of conditions of release. On June 7, in Madison, Landry allegedly failed to report to law enforcement as part of pre-conviction bail conditions following a conviction on a charge of criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.
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