AUGUSTA — An Oakland man who allegedly led police on a high-speed chase with two women he would not let out of the vehicle has been indicted on multiple counts of kidnapping and nearly a dozen other charges.
Brian Charette Jr., 43, of Oakland was indicted by a Kennebec County grand jury on four Class A felony counts of kidnapping. The indictment alleges Charette restrained two women while exposing both of them to risk of serious bodily injury and with the intent to facilitate commission of another crime. The charges stem from a high-speed chase which began on Kennedy Memorial Drive in Waterville and continued on Interstate 95 into Fairfield and Oakland.
Charette was arrested in January following the chase, which ended after Oakland police deployed spike mats that deflated the tires of Charette’s vehicle, prompting Charette to get out and run from officers who pursued and apprehended him.
Police said the chase started after one of the two women in the vehicle with Charette waved her arms to flag down police. The woman later told police she was frightened because Charette told her he would not stop for police, if pursued. Initial reports indicated just one woman had been in the vehicle.
The kidnapping charges are punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Charette was also indicted on several other charges stemming from the same Jan. 20 incident, including: two counts of reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, which was the vehicle; two counts of refusing to submit to arrest; and one count each of eluding an officer, criminal speed, driving to endanger and violation of condition of release.
The grand jury, which met April 20 and 21, also indicted Charette on charges unrelated to the chase. They include: violation of condition of release and criminal mischief, Dec. 23, 2022, in Winslow; and violation of condition of release, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, refusing to submit to arrest and driving to endanger, Jan. 12 in Winslow.
An indictment is not a determination of guilt but indicates there is enough evidence to proceed with formal charges and a trial.
Also indicted by a Kennebec County grand jury last month were:
• Lacie Anderson, 32, of Caribou, theft by unauthorized taking, Oct. 22, 2022, in Waterville.
• Brian R. Barter, 33, of Augusta, violation of condition of release, Feb. 25, in Augusta.
• Anthony Caleb Barone, 32, of Augusta, assault, Dec. 7, 2022, in Augusta.
• Samuel Barrows, 28, of Augusta, unlawful trafficking in schedule W drugs (cocaine), Dec. 19, 2022, in Augusta; aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder), unlawful trafficking in schedule W drugs (cocaine) and criminal forfeiture of $1,910, Jan. 3 in Augusta.
• Christopher A. Bell, 38, of Augusta, domestic violence assault and violation of condition of release, Feb. 22 in Waterville.
• Treshawn MacKenzie Benbow, 22, of Fairfield, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing fentanyl) and violation of condition of release, Feb. 5 in Waterville.
• Gabriel Bohner, 22, of Waterville, aggravated assault, March 11 in Waterville.
• Justin R. Boucher, 21, of Waterville, aggravated assault and two counts of violation of condition of release, Jan. 18 in Winslow.
• David Anthony Milo Bowring, 32, of Clinton, domestic violence assault, March 20 in Clinton.
• Nicole A. Breton, 29, of Augusta, operating after revocation, unauthorized use of property and violation of condition of release, Nov. 14, 2022, in Augusta.
• Stefan J. Buzzell, 25, of Waterville, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, Dec. 8 in Augusta.
• Mameine J. Bynum, 46, of Augusta, violation of a condition of release and violation of a protective order, Jan. 24 in Augusta.
• Joseph P. Calvo II., 50, of Vassalboro, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing fentanyl powder), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing methamphetamine), operating after suspension and violation of condition of release, Dec. 10, 2022, in Winslow.
• Preston Caron, 19, of Mount Vernon, robbery, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and theft by unauthorized taking, March 7 in Augusta.
• Jeffrey Christopher Charette, 54, of Winslow, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (cocaine) and criminal forfeiture of $540, Dec. 24, 2022, in Waterville.
• Morgan Crane, 64, of Winslow, criminal operating under the influence, aggravated operating after habitual offender revocation and violation of condition of release, March 7 in Winslow.
• Stephanie A. Cunningham, 30, of Oakland, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder), unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder) and violation of condition of release, Nov. 5, 2022, in Waterville.
• Meghan S. Curtis, 41, of Albion, aggravated unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs (methamphetamine), endangering the welfare of a child and violation of condition of release, Feb. 16 in Albion.
• Allen A. Dallas, 25, of Waterville, trafficking in prison contraband, Nov. 1, 2022, in Augusta.
• Samantha A. Davis, 32, of Livermore Falls, violation of condition of release, Feb. 9 in Augusta.
• Tonya R. Dickinson, 35, of Oakfield, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder) and unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs (methamphetamine), Nov. 9, 2022, in Clinton.
• Damion M. Dyer, 45, of Winslow, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing fentanyl powder) and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing methamphetamine), Nov. 26, 2022, in Waterville.
• Albert Jonathan DiPietro, 38, of Jay, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder), unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder) and criminal forfeiture of $521, Feb. 22 in Waterville.
• Arloa Ann Gard, 24, of Waterville, reckless conduct with a firearm, Feb. 21 in Waterville.
• Andrew J. A. Gifford, 24, of Waterville, reckless conduct with a firearm and criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, March 11 in Waterville.
• Michael Donald Giggey, 31, of Albion, operating after revocation, Jan. 12 in China.
• Kelly Margaret Goards, 40, of Waterville, operating after revocation, Dec. 19, 2022, in Waterville; and operating after revocation, Sept. 22, 2022, in Waterville.
• Rhonda L. Goldsmith, 50, of Winslow, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, Nov. 29, 2022, in Winslow.
• Tyler S. Haggett, 28, of Augusta, assault on an officer, March 20 in Augusta.
• Raymond Anthony Hamilton, 34, of Waterville, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing methamphetamine), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (fentanyl) and violation of condition of release, Dec. 16 in Waterville.
• Parker Harris, 20, of Augusta, theft by unauthorized taking and violation of condition of release, Nov. 15, 2022, in Augusta.
• Estevan C. Hartley, 51, of Lahaina, Hawaii, domestic violence stalking and violation of a protective order, on or between Sept. 1, 2021, and May 1, 2022, in Oakland.
• Collin Gregory Hellmuth, 30, of Windham, violation of condition of release, Feb. 9 in Augusta.
• Heather M. Hodgson, 40, of Oakland, attempted elevated aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault, domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and endangering the welfare of a child, Feb. 3 in Oakland.
• Samuel W. Howard, 24, of Pittston, trafficking in prison contraband, Feb. 25 in Augusta.
• Neal Edward Hurley, 30, of Waterloo, New York, two counts of aggravated assault, on or between Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, in Vassalboro.
• Jenica K. James, 40, of Skowhegan, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder), unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs (cocaine), unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs (methamphetamine) and unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs (Xanax), Nov. 22, 2022, in Waterville.
• Jennifer C. Kean, 55, of Augusta, driving to endanger, July 27, 2022, in Augusta.
• Robert C. LaCroix, 35, of Augusta, eluding an officer, criminal speed, driving to endanger, operating after suspension, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person and refusing to submit to arrest, Jan. 14 in Augusta.
• Patrick J. LaVallee, 45, of Winslow, aggravated assault, domestic violence assault, March 9, and domestic violence terrorizing, on or between Nov. 1, 2022, and March 9, 2023, in Winslow.
• Denis P. Lemieux, 34, of Waterville, three counts of domestic violence terrorizing, Feb. 22 in Waterville.
• Jashawn F. Lipscombe, 23, of New York City, trafficking in prison contraband, Nov. 1, 2022, in Augusta.
• Jacob P. Lucas, 24, of Readfield, reckless conduct with a firearm and assault, Dec. 5, 2022, in Readfield.
• Ian Scott Machado, 31, of Dexter, aggravated criminal mischief and criminal mischief, Jan. 3 in Augusta.
• Ray C. Mack, 29, of Rochester, New York, assault on an officer, Nov. 25, 2022, in Augusta.
• Zachary R. MaGee, 31, of Augusta, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, criminal simulation, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (methamphetamine), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (Ketamine), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (LSD), violation of condition of release and criminal forfeiture of $319 and a revolver, Feb. 18 in Augusta.
• James L. Mayo II., 52, of Biddeford, assault on an officer and violation of condition of release, Jan. 20 in Augusta.
• Michael Mello, 37, of Augusta, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, criminal mischief and driving to endanger, Nov. 13, 2022, in Augusta.
• James Merrithew, 40, of Clinton, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking and violation of condition of release, Dec. 6, 2022, in Waterville.
• Joshua W. Merritt, 27, of Bowdoinham, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, failure to report accident and refusing to submit to arrest, Oct. 8, 2022, in Pittston.
• Joshua V. Miller, 30, of Manchester, Michigan, violation of condition of release, Dec. 24, 2022, in Waterville.
• Ryan D. Morgan, 28, of Litchfield, theft by unauthorized taking, criminal mischief, operating after suspension, violation of condition of release and driving to endanger, Jan. 26 in Augusta.
• Timothy R. Overlock, 49, of Vassalboro, assault, Feb. 27 in Manchester.
• Katrina A. Park, 34, of Gardiner, domestic violence assault, Feb. 15 in Waterville; and violation of condition of release, on or between Feb. 23 and March 8 in Augusta.
• Garry A. Pease, 57, of Mount Vernon, aggravated assault, domestic violence assault, domestic violence terrorizing, domestic violence criminal threatening and obstructing report of crime or injury, Feb. 2 in Monmouth.
• Joey L. Peaslee, 41, of Jefferson, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (bactrum), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (adderall), operating with a suspended registration, and violation of condition of release, Jan. 29 in Augusta.
• Kevin P. Pelletier, 41, of Waterville, aggravated criminal trespass, assault, criminal mischief and criminal trespass, March 21 in Waterville.
• Laura Stephanie Perkins, 40, Winthrop, theft by unauthorized taking, Jan. 29 in Augusta.
• Benita R. Preo-Eirby, 51, of Augusta, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, Dec. 31 in Augusta.
• Tyler D. Robertson, 29, of Hampden, theft by unauthorized taking, Oct. 28, 2022, in Augusta.
• Jesse L. Sanipas, 41, of Waterville, aggravated unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs (cocaine), aggravated unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder) and criminal forfeiture of $235, March 4 in Waterville.
• Ryan Stone, 32, of Lewiston, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, Dec. 20, 2022, in Waterville.
• Derek D. Taylor, 39, of Benton, domestic violence assault and domestic violence criminal threatening, Jan. 24 in Benton.
• Nicole Taylor, 40, of Oakland, unlawful trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder) and two counts of violation of condition of release, Nov. 2, 2022, in Oakland; aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder), unlawful trafficking in schedule W drugs (Gabapentin), two counts of violation of condition of release and criminal forfeiture of six firearms and ammunition, Jan. 18 in Oakland.
• Devon L. Thomas, 21, of Augusta, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, Feb. 4 in Augusta.
• Paul W. Thurlow, 34, of West Gardiner, failure to comply with duty under Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act of 2013, on or between Sept. 21, 2022, and Nov. 28, 2022, in Augusta.
• Andrew Tompkins, 43, of Oakland, aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder) and two counts of violation of condition of release, Oct. 5, 2022, in Oakland; aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder) and two counts of violation of conditions of release, Nov. 2, 2022, in Oakland; aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder), aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (fentanyl powder), aggravated trafficking in schedule W drugs (Gabapentin), possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, two counts of violation of condition of release and criminal forfeiture of six firearms and ammunition, Jan. 18 in Oakland.
• Clayton Alexander Turner, 28, of Albion, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs (fentanyl powder), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (cocaine) and violation of condition of release, Jan. 23 in China.
• Branley Urena, 27, of Manchester, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (Clonazepam), unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (cocaine) and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (cocaine), Feb. 6 in Augusta.
• Donald J. Veilleux II., 39, of Albion, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, Nov. 19 and 20, 2022, and violation of condition of release, Nov. 19, 2022, in Waterville.
• Anthony G. Veneziano, 42, of Augusta, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking, Dec. 27, 2022, in Augusta.
• Maurice A. Watkins-Cundiff, 30, of Waterville, three counts of violation of condition of release, Feb. 6, Feb. 26 and March 20, in Augusta; and violation of condition of release, Jan. 1 in Augusta.
• Mason Wilmot, 25, of Friendship, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs (containing fentanyl powder), Dec. 16, 2022, in China.
• Yvonne M. Wheelock, 51, of Farmingdale, theft by unauthorized taking, on or between Oct. 30, 2022, and Dec. 3, 2022, in Augusta.
• Jacob S. York, 31, of Winslow, aggravated assault, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and leaving scene of an accident involving personal injury, Jan. 1 in Winslow.
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