Washington County sheriff’s officer resigns under scrutiny

MACHIAS – The Washington County sheriff’s officer placed on paid administrative leave while the state attorney general and district attorney weighed prosecution of allegations of sexual misconduct against him in February resigned last week.

John Carroll, who was hired by Sheriff Joseph Tibbetts last August, has been waiting for the outcome of the investigation before determining his next step.

That may ultimately be Iraq, as Carroll has plans to re-enter the military in early September, with an eye on serving in the Iraq conflict.

Tibbetts, who accepted Carroll’s letter of resignation, said the Washington County District Attorney’s Office has not formally closed the case, yet “does not feel there is enough evidence for an indictment based on the original complaint.”

The Maine State Police criminal investigation division handled the investigation, then passed its report to the Attorney General’s Office. In turn, the decision to prosecute the case or not was passed on to the district attorney.

Paul Cavanaugh, the assistant district attorney, could not be reached for comment.

Carroll, 35, lived in Gouldsboro while serving as a patrol deputy for Washington County. Before joining the Sheriff’s Department he worked at the Down East Correctional Facility in Machiasport.

He lives in Southwest Harbor.

His resignation letter cites personal reasons for moving on. “Because of false allegations made against me, I feel I can no longer perform my duties,” Carroll wrote to Tibbetts.

Carroll served overseas in the U.S. Army as a forward observer between 1996 and 1998. His last assignment was in Fort Drum, N.Y., with the 10th Mountain Division.

He reports for training at Fort Jackson, S.C., on Sept. 3. After a short-term rotation to Germany, he will be sent to Iraq.

Carroll did not return a phone call seeking comment.