After spotlight in brother’s trial, Mars Hill man indicted for theft

4 years ago

CARIBOU, Maine — A Mars Hill man who defense attorneys attempted to establish as a possible alternate suspect in the shooting of his former stepfather was indicted on several unrelated charges by an Aroostook County Grand Jury on Friday.

George E. Peaslee, 40, of Mars Hill was indicted on three counts of theft and one count of violation of conditions of release, according to District Attorney Todd Collins. Peaslee was out on probation after serving jail time for theft, eluding an officer, speeding more than 30 miles over the limit, passing a road block and assault on an emergency medical care provider in April.

Peaslee is the brother of James Peaslee, 38, of Easton, who was found guilty on June 11 of murder and using a firearm to intentionally or knowingly cause the death of another. He was accused of murdering his former stepfather, Paul Hilenski Sr., who died from a gunshot wound to the chest after Peaslee came to his home in January 2018 and fired multiple gunshots at him, according to court testimony. 

Hilenski, 79, had a home on the Boundary Line Road, which was outfitted with an extensive security system. The state contended that multiple security videos taken from Hilenski Sr.’s home depicted James Peaslee committing the killing. Defense attorneys, however, questioned several witnesses about Peaslee’s resemblance to George Peaslee throughout the trial.

George Peaslee did not testify, and a conclusive link was never established.

Other indictments included:

Sandra Devine, 42, Presque Isle, theft.

David P. Tremblay III, Presque Isle, theft, criminal trespass, violation of conditions of release.

Sarah A. Michaud, Presque Isle, aggravated assault.

Quinn L. Harvey, 38, Mapleton, theft, operating motor vehicle after license suspension, criminal trespass, violation of conditions of release.

Katherine Allen, 26, Mapleton, theft, violation of conditions of release.

Lawren V. Cameron, Presque Isle, theft, violation of conditions of release.

Ronnie L. Espling, Ashland, domestic violence terrorizing, aggravated criminal mischief, terrorizing.

Eric R. Howes, 33, Blaine, unlawful possession, unlawful furnishing (two counts,) unlawful trafficking, violation of conditions of release.

Sara R. Schlicher, 29, Madawaska, unlawful possession (two counts,) burglary (two counts,) theft (two counts,) criminal trespass (two counts).

Jerald E. Scheurwater, 32, Caribou, aggravated assault, domestic violence terrorizing.

Stacy L. Clayton, Blaine, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, aggravated trafficking (three counts,) unlawful possession, criminal forfeiture.

Richard M. Kinney, 50, E. Plantation, aggravated trafficking.

Jennifer L. Woodman, 39, Presque Isle, aggravated trafficking, illegal importation.

Jordan A. Field, 36, Blaine, violation of conditions of release, operating after revocation.

Shayne W. Ellis, 38, Limestone, domestic violence assault (two counts,) domestic violence criminal threatening, tampering with a victim.

Tyler P. Maynard, 30, Presque Isle, violation of conditions of release.

Benjamin E. Small, 42, Easton, theft.

Acil York, 36, Presque Isle, domestic violence stalking, violation of a protection order.

Alex V. Jandreau, 26, Madawaska, burglary, theft, criminal trespass, violation of conditions of release, receiving stolen property (two counts,) unauthorized use of property.

Amie J. Bouchard Jr, 35, Van Buren, burglary, theft, criminal trespass.

Scott Rand, 49, Sherman, trafficking prison contraband.

Terry L. Sowders, 52, Oakfield, aggravated assault.

Colby Doucette, 28, Chapman, tampering with a witness, tampering with a victim,violation of conditions of release, violation of a protective order.

Bo E. Branscombe, 32, Oakfield, aggravated trafficking (two counts,) receiving stolen property, criminal forfeiture.

Matthew L. Audibert, 27, Houlton, violation of conditions of release, violation of a protective order.

Stephen K.Bergeron, 51, Limestone, possession of sexually explicit materials.

Timothy P. Rooney, 35, Easton, burglary, theft.

Nicholas Dickinson, 36, Mapleton, reckless conduct.

Richard M. Kinney, age not given, E. Plantation, eluding, operating after revocation, violation of conditions of release.

Ruben J. Redman, 31, Monticello, domestic violence assault.

Dale J. Haggart, 33, Crystal, domestic violence assault.

Jason R. Levasseur, 39, Northeast Harbor, operating after revocation, violation of conditions of release, operating while under the influence.

Hunter F. Craig, 20, Patten, assault, aggravated assault.

Matthew L. Audibert, 27, Houlton, domestic violence criminal threatening, eluding an officer, operating after revocation, violation of a protection order, obstruction the report of a crime, operating while under the influence, driving to endanger, speeding, criminal mischief.

Jesse Willigar, 26, Linneus, aggravated reckless conduct, criminal threatening.

John J. Stratton, 40, Ludlow, operating after revocation.

Alicia Rudge, 30, Patten, theft.

Dylan Begin, 25, Houlton, unlawful possession, violation of conditions of release.

William R. Donofrio, 48, Linneus, unlawful possession.

Ruben J. Redman, 31, Monticello, aggravated assault, violation of conditions of release.

Micah C. Ryan, 27, Houlton, aggravated criminal assault, criminal mischief.

Michael J. Nickerson, 30, Houlton, operating after revocation, aggravated trafficking, unlawful possession (three counts,) refusing to submit to arrest.

Amanda J. Moran, 29, Littleton, eluding an officer, aggravated trafficking, unlawful possession (three counts,) driving to endanger, operating after suspension, permitting unlawful use.

Stephen W. McMann, 52, Houlton, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence criminal threatening, criminal trespass.

Jeff V. Hartley, 31, Bangor, domestic violence assault, refusing to submit to arrest, violation of conditions of release.

Christopher R. Drew, 41, Oakfield, operating while under the influence, unlawful possession, aggravated criminal mischief, driving to endanger.

Rebecca L. Dickinson, 51, Houlton, theft.

Sarah D.Moffett, 50, Warren, Massachusetts, theft.