Warden under investigation for alleged improper conduct

DEXTER – A Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife warden who allegedly passed alcohol around to fishermen, including some minors during an undercover operation on Lake Wassookeag, is now the subject of an investigation.

The warden’s alleged improper activity came to light when Piscataquis County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy dismissed charges against four people who were summoned for buying smelts from an unlicensed dealer, selling smelts without a license and illegal angling.

Although the individuals who were summoned may have been engaged in illegal activity, Almy said Monday he felt it best to dismiss the charges after learning that the warden, who was working undercover this past winter, had entered an ice shack with alcohol and had passed it around to those inside, which included minors.

Almy said he believed the warden had no ill intent at the time and had offered the alcohol as a way of blending in.

The cases brought against Troy Dyer, 34, of Dexter, Scott Knowlton, 41, of Parkman, Jeff Richards, 45, of Dexter and Joyce Richards, 51, of Dexter, all originally charged with smelt violations, were dismissed.

Warden Service Col. Timothy Peabody said Wardens Dan Scott and Kevin Adam had worked on the same detail, but were not under investigation. He said the pair charged five people with illegal angling, and all five have paid their fines.

Peabody said Monday that the warden under investigation has been on the force for quite some time.

“I fully support and understand the reasoning behind Almy’s decision to dismiss the charges,” he said.

The investigation into the warden’s conduct was ordered by DIF&W Commissioner Roland Martin.

“Maintaining integrity with the public we serve is paramount,” he said in a prepared statement. “I have asked Colonel Peabody to investigate this matter and submit his findings to me. A thorough investigation into this matter will ensure that this does not happen in the future.”

Peabody said the Warden Service had received a lot of complaints about illegal smelting activities on the lake and the investigation was a result of those complaints.

According to Warden Service protocol, no action will be taken against the warden involved until the conclusion of the investigation. Peabody said the disciplinary action could be “up to and including discharge.”

He said the Maine Attorney General’s Office has been notified of the conduct of the officer.