contact@westernmaine.com
PO Box 102, West Paris, ME 04289
Because the people deserve to know
OCTOBER 19, 2026
A CASE IN Oxford Court October 19 offered a look into the role the schools can play in domestic violence issues. Jeramy Rosson, 27, with a listed address in Skowhegan but who had been living in Rumford, faced a charge of domestic violence assault due to an October 15 incident when he was accused of injuring his girlfriend's elementary school-aged son and leaving a scratch on his face. He was arrested by the Rumford police after school personnel noticed the scratch and reported it, and officers went to the apartment to interview Rosson and his girlfriend.
Police decided, after hearing from each of them, that it was a domestic violence event. In court October 19, he pled not guilty, and was granted $250 cash bail with the condition that he have no further contact with the child, meaning that he could no longer stay at his girlfriend's apartment,. He was granted permission to return once with a policeman to retrieve his personal effects, assuming that he made bail and was released. If he is not able to raise bail and is still in Oxford County jail, he will be able to return to court October 26 for a review of his situation.
A HOMELESS MAN STUCK in jail on a domestic violence charge because he couldn't raise $500 bail got a break October 19. He was released after a pointed exchange between the assistant district attorney and the defense counsel. Dylan James Geddes, 22, had been arrested in late August in Fryeburg after a fight with his girlfriend. On October 19, he was back in court on a motion filed by his attorney to reconsider the bail amount. He had been assessed the $500 bail on September 2 but could have gotten out with a Maine Pretrial Services contract. But, since he was homeless, defense attorney Jennifer Rohde told the court, Maine Pretrial couldn't take him. Rohde stated that the domestic violence charge had to be considered with the face that “there was back and forth between the couple. She put her hands on him, he put his hands on her.” His girlfriend called 911 only because “she just wanted him to leave that night.”
Assistant District Attorney Ellex St. Pierre shot back that Rohde's argument was “victim blaming”. St. Pierre noted that the woman was pregnant and had a bruise on her leg when police showed up. Rohde responded, “I apologize if it sounds like I was victim blaming,” but that the bruise in fact did not seem recent and, she implied, was probably not the result of the events that night.
Judge Peter Malia, noting that Geddes had already been in jail for 47 days, said finally: “I don't think that granting this motion will endanger the community.” He agreed to amend the bail to a $1,000 unsecured bail, which means he would be released without having to pay anything, but would owe $1,000 if he violated the terms of his release or failed to return for his next court hearing. The next court date for Geddes is December 22 and in the meantime he is ordered to have no contact with the girlfriend.
Oxford County court news
October 14, 2026
......................................................
A BUCKFIELD MAN allegedly fled from Norway police after they recognized he was driving without a license and tried to stop his car October 10. He got ahead of them and drove to his house but abandoned the car in the middle of the road, jumped out, and ran into the woods. After police arrived, he sauntered back up the road on foot to pretend he was surprised to see his car out in the middle of the road. That attempt to pretend someone else had been in the truck might have worked except that Robert J. Hermanson, Jr, 32, was covered with cuts and scratches from plunging into the bushes. Police charged him with operating after revocation, failure to stop for an officer, and violating conditions of release. They also discovered he had “multiple” arrest warrants out for him. In an October 14 appearance in Oxford Court, his bail was set at $5,000 pending a return to court January 28.
An Auburn man got into a dispute with his girlfriend while driving and wound up in front of a house in Oxford where a resident who heard them shouting called police. Christopher Guimond, 40, had driven away by the time police arrived but he had forced his girlfriend out of the car and she was still standing at the curb. She showed the police a prominent black eye, so they put out a bulletin on him and officers found him in the parking lot of a nearby store. He claimed he had tried to break up with her and she began pummeling him. She got the black eye, he claimed, only because he had put his arm up to block her fists and his elbow went into her eye. The resident who called police however reported that he had forcefully pulled her out of the car before driving off and even though he had a split lip and some crusted blood around his nostril, they charged him with domestic violence assault.
In Oxford Court October 14, he was given $750 cash bail, or $100 if he can get a Maine Pretrial Services agreement, pending his return to court January 29.
A MAN FROM New York State who was driving to Oxford County occasionally to visit a relative in Norway got into the habit of squatting in an abandoned property in West Paris. The property was not abandoned enough that he could get away with it , though, as it was, in fact, owned by the town of West Paris, which is in the process of trying to sell it. Michael Rawlings, 46, from Bullville, NY, was warned by the West Paris town manager last summer to leave the property. He was arrested but released under conditions including he not go back to the property. During his initial arrest, a dog he brought with him wound up at the local shelter and although the animal control officer, Brandon Holmes, had asked the shelter not release it back to him, they did. Holmes then cooperated with the town by putting up a game camera at the property to monitor whether he would try to return. The game camera caught him back again at the property, leading to his arrest August 28 for criminal trespass again and violating conditions of release. He was arraigned September 16 and in an appearance on October 16, his motion to request a reduction of bail was denied. He was ordered held with no bail allowed until his next court appearance November 24.
OCTOBER 13, 2026
WHEN A HOMEOWNER in Paris complained to the police about being scammed by a dishonest contractor from Thomaston last December, Paris Detective Alan Coffin discovered he was dealing with a man with a criminal history going back two decades, and who was not only under 10 sets of bail conditions, but was actively being sought on new charges by the Knox County sheriff.
According to Oxford County Court records, Shane Jones, 38, had a history ranging from burglary arrests to more recent charges of fraud. In November, 2025, the Paris homeowner saw a listing Jones had placed on the internet as “S Jones Chimney and Masonry” and hired him to repair his chimney. The homeowner gave Jones $4,000 out of the $8000 total fee Jones requested and contracted for the job to be done by December 15. On December 16, when Jones had disappeared and no work had been done, the homeowner called police. Detective Coffin discovered the Knox County Sheriff had been seeking Jones for similar accusations and Jones had escaped them one night in a high speed chase. Eventually, they caught up him December 22, but he made bail. On January 14, the Oxford County Court issued a summons for Jones in the Paris case, but the Knox County Sheriff reported that they were unable to find him to serve the summons. When he was finally arrested and brought to jail February 26, he was held on a $5,000 cash bail. On April 15, the Oxford County Grand Jury issued indictments of Jones for theft by deception and home repair fraud.
Around this time, he was able to make bail, then failed to appear for his next court date in June, leading to his arrest again. He appeared in Oxford County Court October 9 where his defense evidently included a claim that his behavior stemmed from addiction. He was granted $500 cash bail on the condition that he go to a treatment facility until his next court date January 8.
A WOMAN WAS SO ENRAGED at her former partner and his new girlfriend that she played demolition derby with his car in the parking lot of the Big Apple in Paris October 9 and wound up in court October 13 facing charges of domestic violence and driving to endanger. The situation was heightened by the fact that she used his girlfriend's car. Police were called to the Big Apple October 9 for a report that one car had attempted to block another from leaving the parking lot and had run into it in the process. The driver of the car that had been hit told police that his former partner, Megan Keohan, 31, of Rumford, had followed him into the parking lot yelling at him, then tried to block him when he tried to leave. The car she was in, a Chevy Equinox, side swiped the car he was in, a Nissan Murano. Keohan fled the scene. Police then learned from another woman, identified as Keohan's partner's current girlfriend, that Keohan was driving her car. The girlfriend currently has an order of protection out against Keohan, according to the police report. Police obtained a warrant and arrested Keohan later that day in Rumford for charges including domestic violence, driving to endanger, leaving the scene of an accident and violating conditions of release from a prior offense.
In Oxford County court October 13, defense attorney of the day Kelly Ann McMorran stated that Keohan and the victim have four children together and that it is “a very complicated domestic situation”. Keohan works as a CNA and has funds for a modest bail, McMorran said, and wanted to be released to tend to family matters including her children and a sick sister. The district attorney asked for $1,000 bail. Judge Jeana McCormick decided to impose $500 bail on the domestic violence and driving charges, and $500 bail on violating the girlfriend's order of protection, She is due back in court November 3 for a hearing on the protection order violation and January 28 for the other charges.
October 7, 2026
....................................................................
A FRYEBURG MAN who swerved down Main Street in Fryeburg shortly before 11 o'clock at night on October 2 drew the attention of a Fryeburg police officer running a radar patrol. When the officer pulled him over, there was, the police report states, “an immense odor of intoxicating beverages” in the car. The officer then attempted to perform a field sobriety test on Cory S. Robinson, 41, but Robinson resisted. Dispatch informed the officer that Robinson had a history of “being assaultive” toward police, so back up was called and when an Oxford County deputy showed up, the two officers tried to arrest him. He resisted and had to be tasered before they could handcuff him. Robinson, who suffered a cut on his head during the melee, was charged with criminal operating under the influence, resisting arrest, and due to a previous charge, violating conditions of release. In court October 5, he was granted a $500 cash bail on the first two charges, but will be held without bail on the violating charge until a hearing on the matter. He will be due back in court January 28 for the other charges.
OFFICER JUSTIN CUMMINGS of the Rumford police was on patrol on Cumberland Street in Rumford at 4 am on September 30 when he heard a loud female voice, which “sounded distressed” according to his report. Cummings followed the voice to an apartment nearby where he found Chaun Rideout, 50, and his female companion in a loud argument. The woman had a “visible injury” to her hand, so Rideout was arrested on a domestic violence charge. He was granted $500 cash bail October 2, or personal recognizance if granted Maine Pretrial supervision.
HAVING A SERIOUS HEART PROBLEM was enough to shorten prison time for a Bethel man last January, but when he got in trouble again October 3, the judge was less sympathetic. Ramsey Bean, 47, was free on a combination of probation and deferred disposition from a burglary charge when he was caught “drinking a beer in the bathroom” of the Oxford Walmart, and allegedly trying to steal the rest of the pack. In court October 5, he was granted a $500 cash bail with an order “never to return to any Walmart”, but didn't get out of jail because the violation of his probation conditions from January. On October 7, he appeared in court again on this latter charge. Defense attorney Maurice Porter told the court that Bean suffers from heart failure and was about to make an appointment for surgery when he was arrested. Porter complained that jail authorities were failing to give Bean all of the various medications he requires. “I do have very serious concerns about his heart,” Porter stated, arguing for a lenient bail. Assistant district attorney Timothy Maughan argued that he be kept in jail until a full hearing in November. “Whatever his health issues, they haven't prevented him from engaging in additional criminal conduct.” Judge Jeana McCormick and Porter puzzled over why he had both probation conditions and deferred disposition, normally two different things. Maughan stated that it had been because the court, in January, considering his heart condition, had tried to find a “creative solution” to get him out of jail. Judge McCormick declined to repeat that approach, and ordered him held without bail until a hearing on November 3. She also issued an order that the jail start providing him all the medications he's been prescribed.
September 30, 2026
Oxford Superior Court Report
By Rich Bergeron
...........................................................................................................................
JESSE DAVIDSON, 41, appeared in Oxford County Superior Court on Wednesday, September 30th to face his fourth OUI offense in the last ten years. This time, the suspect was allegedly caught riding an electric bike on September 29th, 2026, while under the influence of alcohol.
Fryeburg Patrolman Joshua Mattel reportedly observed Davidson swerving in the travel lane on the bike, nearly veering off the road a few times. He initiated a traffic stop where he allegedly observed Davidson’s glossy eyes and slurred speech. Davidson insisted he was not drinking that night at first, but he later admitted after failing his field sobriety test that he had been drinking that night and on prior nights.
The circumstances of the case sparked an intense debate between the State Prosecutor Timothy Maughan and Attorney of the Day A. Tucker Derstine. Attorney Derstine challenged the probable cause basis of the arrest, citing the fact that the electric bike in question was not completely self-propelled. “It requires pedaling,” Derstine said repeatedly during the hearing. Maughan cited what he called “the moped statute” to argue that an electric bike is in the same legal classification as a moped. He used a 1983 precedent case to bolster his position, which led Derstine to complain that “today’s vehicles were not anticipated” when the 1983 case was decided.
While Maughan admitted there is “some overlap” in the definitions that determine if an electric bike is considered a motor vehicle, he insisted probable cause was met based on the alleged actions of Davidson on the night in question. He cited the past instances of OUI Davidson has on his record and maintained that the defendant should be subject to a “high cash bail” based on the state being extremely concerned about his behavior.
The judge was also wary to define the electric bike in this instance as a motor vehicle, hinting that many people who have suspended driver’s licenses must rely on electric bikes for transportation.
Derstine maintained that an electric bike needs to be able to gain speeds up to 25 miles per hour without any assistance from the rider to qualify as a motor vehicle. He explained that the bike Davidson was riding did not come close to that kind of capability.
Judge Thomas McKeon pointed to the “threat to the public” at issue in this case, comparing someone hit by a car driven by a drunk driver as opposed to someone hit by an electric bike.
An argument over bail came next, and the judge ultimately decided to allow PR bail with no alcohol and no operating of motor vehicles conditions. The judge hesitated to order that Davidson have no contact with his wife, who called the police to report his antics on the 29th. Derstine reported that call was a “911 hang-up call” and Davidson lives at the same address as his wife, which would make a no-contact order a hardship for him.
Judge McKeon also stated that he had some more homework to do on the issue of whether or not the electric bike in this case could legally be considered a motor vehicle.
HARTFORD resident Logan Cyr, 43, appeared in Oxford County Superior Court on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, to face five criminal counts stemming from a domestic dispute on September 28th, 2026. Cyr is being charged with Domestic Violence Stalking, Domestic Violence Assault, Burglary, Aggravated Criminal Mischief, and Obstructing the reporting of a crime or injury. Cyr has an extensive record, including multiple other domestic violence charges in the last ten years.
Oxford County Sheriff’s Deputy Bode Gray encountered the suspect on the morning of September 28, 2026, and the officer also spoke to the victim, who alleged that Cyr showed up at her home that day and broke through the front door. Cyr then allegedly grabbed the victim and dragged her through the home across the floor. Cyr also allegedly grabbed a 911 notification box and threw it outside so the victim could not alert the police.
The same victim reported that Cyr attacked her in front of her children on September 3, 2026. The account was confirmed by one of her sons. Multiple other incidents occurred throughout the month of September with Cyr, according to the victim’s accounts. She even alleged that he threw a rock through her window and entered her home while she wasn’t there. She told police that she suspected his behavior was tied to his regular methamphetamine use. The victim was granted an order of protection on September 10, 2026, but it appears that the suspect’s behavior only grew more aggressive after that happened.
State Prosecutor Timothy Maughan argued for $10,000 cash bail on one case and $25,000 on Cyr’s other pending case. Both cases would also have bail conditions forbidding Cyr’s use of alcohol and drugs. He would also be required to refrain from having any contact with the victim and would not be allowed to possess any weapons. The same bail arrangement would make him subject to random searches and tests while out on bail. Judge McKeon approved the state’s bail recommendation.
CRAIG KEAVENY was also in Oxford Superior Court on Wednesday, September 30th, 2026, for a motion to revoke his bail in a domestic violence case filed against him in May of 2024. Keaveny also has another criminal case in Bridgton now, thanks to an incident where he allegedly kicked in a door, telling responding officers that he thought people were hiding in there. Judge McKeon allowed Keaveny to plead not guilty to that criminal mischief charge despite his arraignment being scheduled for October 13th. He also pleaded not guilty to a charge of violating the conditions of his release on bail for the initial 2024 charge.
District Attorney Ellex St. Pierre reported that Keaveny also has multiple outstanding charges in New Hampshire right now, which include stalking, criminal trespassing, and other domestic violence counts. These incidents took place in May and July of 2026.
Attorney Derstine, arguing on behalf of Keaveny, told the judge he had no knowledge or information about the alleged New Hampshire offenses.
Derstine also explained that Keaveny has medical conditions that require him to attend multiple medical appointments. Keaveny is also reportedly enrolled in counseling and has sole custody of his 14-year-old daughter, which Derstine argued made his incarceration a complicated issue. Derstine suggested that Keaveny be granted PR bail with no contact constraints.
The judge acknowledged that he needed to take “special care” for domestic violence cases like this one. He ruled that the defendant would be held without bail at this point, but he ruled “without prejudice” in order to allow the defendant to be reheard at a later date on the bail issue. Keaveny is scheduled for a dispositional hearing on his 2024 charges on June 8th, 2027.