Perham man arrested on charges of firing shotgun recklessly and operating ATV under the influence

4 years ago

PERHAM, Maine — Police arrested a Perham man Saturday after reports that he had assaulted a visitor and fired a shotgun.

John Whitney, 55, had been with a visitor to his residence, when Whitney allegedly became angry and assaulted the man and fired one round from a shotgun.

After attempts to contact Whitney were unsuccessful, Aroostook County Sheriff’s Deputy Isaac Ward and Maine State Police Trooper Andrew Levesque remained in the area, until they spotted Whitney riding an ATV on Mouse Island Road. 

After stopping him on the ATV, Deputy Ward arrested Whitney, suspecting him of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence and because of a brief struggle that ensued. 

Whitney faces multiple charges including reckless conduct with a firearm, aggravated assault, operating a motor vehicle after license suspension, criminal threatening, failure to submit to arrest and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence. 

Whitney was unable to post a $750 cash bail and was transported to Aroostook County Jail.