Man arrested and released twice on felony drug charges

The Washington County Sheriff's Department made several arrests for drug offenses during the month of December, including the arrest and subsequent re-arrest of one individual, Sharley Fitzsimmons, 42, of Lubec.

Fitzsimmons was arrested for violation of release and drug possession along with Jennifer Wallace, who was arrested on drug possession. Fitzsimmons initially was released because of the failure by the district attorney's office to file proper paperwork in court, according to Sheriff Donnie Smith.

Wallace was released on bail, after which she filed a request to be allowed to spend Christmas with Fitzsimmons, with which the district attorney's office concurred, in an unusual move.

On Christmas Eve, Fitzsimmons and David Townsend, 21, of Baileyville were arrested for felony drug trafficking by the Washington County Sheriff's Department and members of the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency. Townsend was arraigned and then released on bail. Fitzsimmons was released a second time because of the district attorney's failure to file a complaint in court.

Sheriff Smith says, "I am frustrated. I called all three district attorneys for an answer on why their office did not follow through with our arrests. They would not return my phone calls. I also faxed a letter to each district attorney. Class B felony charges in Fitzsimmons' case are being reviewed with a view to 'bumping up' charges to Class A.

Sheriff Smith adds, "Fitzsimmons has been arrested and recharged twice in three weeks. I do not understand it. It is very expensive to put one person in jail for trafficking in drugs.

Other calls

Sheriff Smith reports that his department handled 4,533 total calls during 2007, including 306 during December. Civil processes handled for the year totaled 1,981; in December, the count was 156. Seven protection orders were served in December, bringing the year's total to 170. In the county jail, December saw an average inmate count of 31; for 2007 as a whole, it was 43.

During the month of December, deputies handled 52 vehicle crashes, 38 vehicle stops, and assists to 24 motorists. They responded to 22 alarms and 20 calls to 911 and investigated 13 domestic calls, 10 harassment complaints, 14 thefts and 15 calls for assistance from allied agencies. The K-9 unit handled 10 calls, while the deputies were involved in 10 civil assists and made 10 checks of well-being during the month.