Christopher Williams

Maine

Legal Affairs Journalist at Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)

Articles

Sabattus man gets 35 months for dealing crack coaine

Jan 8, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

PORTLAND — A judge cut the sentence he imposed Wednesday on a crack cocaine dealer by nearly one-third after applying a U.S. Department of Justice policy that treats powder and crack cocaine offenses equally and that claims federal sentencing guidelines are racially based. According to federal law, sentencing guidelines for dealing crack cocaine compared to powder cocaine stand at a ratio of 18-1.
Oxford County arrest log: Jan. 8, 2025

Jan 8, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

• Devan M. Barrows, 30, of 6 Maxwell Road, Wilton, on a charge of domestic violence assault, 12:13 p.m. Monday, Jan. 6, no arrest location provided, by Norway Police Department. • Alexander M.
Sabattus man indicted on assault charges

Jan 7, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

AUBURN — A Sabattus man is facing two felony assault charges stemming from a brawl in October that sent two men to the hospital. Walter M. Rines, 36, was indicted Tuesday by an Androscoggin County grand jury on two counts of aggravated assault. Each crime is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. He also faces two misdemeanors related to the case: assault and criminal threatening.
Auburn man faces multiple felonies in shooting and stabbing at weekend party

Jan 6, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

LEWISTON — A local man is facing more than a dozen felonies stemming from a weekend party at a home on Smith Street where an altercation reportedly led to the stabbing and shooting of attendees. Chase Snow, 18, was charged with four counts of elevated aggravated assault, each charge punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Snow also was charged with four counts of aggravated assault involving the same three victims, two men and a juvenile.
Oxford County arrest log: Jan. 6, 2025

Jan 6, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

• Faye-Marie Bellanceau, 23, of 18 Henley Lane, Greenwood, on a charge of domestic violence assault, 3:54 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31, in Greenwood, by Oxford County Sheriff’s Office. • Matthew N. Cipolloso, 29, of 18 Fairturn Acres, Oxford, on charges of domestic violence assault and violation of condition of release, 10:54 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 1, at 176 Rabbit Valley Road, by Oxford Police Department. • Brian M.
Auburn man convicted of kidnapping, attempted murder, sexual assault

Jan 3, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

AUBURN — A local man charged with kidnapping, assaulting and sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in 2022 admitted to multiple felonies and didn’t contest a conviction for aggravated attempted murder Friday. Razel M. Gavin, 26, pleaded guilty in Androscoggin County Superior Court to seven crimes involving the 13-year-old girl, including kidnapping, aggravated assault, criminal threatening and four counts gross sexual assault.
Lisbon man gets 10 years for child porn

Jan 2, 2025 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

PORTLAND — A Lisbon man described by his attorney as having a chromosomal abnormality that created a hormonal imbalance was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for having child pornography. Joseph Gibson, 36, pleaded guilty in September to the felony, which is punishable by 10-20 years in prison because he had a prior child pornography conviction.
Oxford County arrest log: Dec. 30, 2024

Dec 30, 2024 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

• Brandy R. Crosby, 34, of 116 South High St., Bridgton, on a charge of failure to appear after bailed, 6:35 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 26, in Cumberland County, by Portland Police Department. • Travis J. Guilbault, 28, of 58 Main St., Porter, on a charge of domestic violence assault, 11:20 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, in Porter, by Maine State Police. • Erin N.
Greene man loses court appeal over junkyard at home

Dec 11, 2024 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

GREENE — Maine’s highest court has upheld a lower court ruling that found local resident George Stanley violated the state’s junkyard law and the town’s flea market ordinance. The town took Stanley to court in 2022 to enforce the statute and ordinance. Judge Philip Mohlar at 8th District Court in Lewiston entered a judgement in the town’s favor.
Lewiston man denies attempted murder and other charges

Dec 10, 2024 | sunjournal.com | Christopher Williams

LEWISTON — A local man accused of slashing a woman in an effort to kill her denied the charges in court Tuesday. Abdi H. Yussuf, 30, appeared in 8th District Court where he pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including attempted murder, a crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison. He also was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury on a charge of domestic violence aggravated assault, a felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years.