Lincoln man indicted in assault, arson, shooting at his own home

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BANGOR – A Lincoln man who prosecutors said caused a tremendous amount of damage when he fired multiple gunshots inside his own home was among 46 people indicted Monday by a Penobscot County grand jury.

Before the incident in late January, police believe that Eric H. Merrill, 42, was out of work, falling behind on his bills and drinking heavily.

While it was not clear what set him off, Merrill’s rage began when he kicked his girlfriend in the chest, knocking her off a chair and onto the floor, according to court documents. He then retrieved a shotgun and started firing as many as 40 rounds throughout several rooms. Finally, Merill went outside, poured some kind of accelerant over his Chevy Suburban and set in on fire.

He was indicted on charges of arson, reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, aggravated criminal mischief and assault.

“Some of the shots came close to [the victim], so the situation really could have been a lot worse,” Assistant District Attorney Greg Campbell said Monday.

When police arrived, Merrill approached the first officer at the scene and said he needed to be placed in handcuffs “now,” court documents show.

His bail conditions prohibit him from contacting the victim, from using or possessing firearms, alcohol and drugs, and require him to obey an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.

Also indicted Monday were:

David P. Abson, 23, Garland, theft by unauthorized taking.

William G. Anderson, 22, Bangor, assault on an officer, assault.

Shawn A. Ashworth, 33, Prospect, failure to appear.

Charles J. Bean, 28, New Gloucester, failure to report, violation of condition of release.

Kailie Brackett, 24, no hometown given, aggravated forgery, theft by unauthorized taking.

Tammie L. Caron, 48, Glenburn, trafficking in prison contraband.

Terry Chesnel, 53, Lewiston, aggravated operating after habitual offender revocation, criminal operating under the influence.

Todd Clark, 26, Augusta, assault.

Keith E. Clifford, 20, Brewer, robbery, theft by unauthorized taking, assault.

Sonia A. Davis, 32, Bangor, unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, operating after suspension, leaving the scene of an accident, improper plates.

Charla M. Day, 27, Winterport, operating after revocation.

Vicki Lynn Decesere, 45, Bangor, three counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Lucia Faria, 40, Bangor, forgery, theft by deception.

Gregory S. Fellows, 36, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking, violation of condition of release.

Roland D. Frost, 32, Hudson, failure to appear.

Peter Gallagher, 45, Bangor, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Dwayne B. Gilman, 49, Enfield, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, cruelty to animals.

Roger Gomes, 29, Marlborough, Mass., unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs.

Jay K. Gould, 49, Dedham, operating after revocation, violation of condition of release.

Chalma E. Greatorex Jr., Bradford, operating after revocation.

Nekole A. Harmon, 22, Dover-Foxcroft, burglary, stealing drugs, theft by unauthorized taking.

Joseph P. Hartel, 25, Bangor, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Dennis J. Havelock, 36, Bradley, criminal threatening, assault, violation of condition of release.

Brian Hendsbee, 28, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking, violation of condition of release.

Kari Hersey, 23, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking.

Jennifer M. Howes, 31, Bangor, burglary of a motor vehicle, theft by unauthorized taking, forgery.

Chris Ibitoye, 31, New York, N.Y., negotiating a worthless instrument.

Ian J. McCue, 28, Bangor, failure to appear.

Trixie M. Nelson, 27, Sangerville, trafficking in prison contraband.

Jamie Ness, 27, Milford, trafficking in prison contraband.

Wayne Niski, 21, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking.

Jennifer Owens-Hannon, 36, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking.

Jeffrey V. Paoletti, 24, Bangor, two counts of burglary, three counts of theft, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs.

Earl D. Parfitt, 43, Bradford, eluding an officer, criminal operating under the influence, driving to endanger, refusing to submit to arrest, operating an unregistered vehicle.

Gabriel Perro, 31, Indian Island, assault, obstructing the report of a crime or injury.

Joshua F. Plummer, 20, Bangor, receiving stolen property.

Michael Pollack, 53, Millinocket, failure to appear.

Lateefa Ronco, 18, Bangor, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Shannon Schaeffer, 28, Winterport, trafficking in prison contraband.

Peter J. Tardiff, 22, Bangor, unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, criminal forfeiture of $645.

Steven Theriault, 42, West Enfield, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Renell S. Walker, 26, Bangor, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs.

Jonathan Ward, 18, Bangor, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, violation of condition of release, criminal forfeiture of firearm, criminal forfeiture of $1,048.

Rikki L. White, 22, Bangor, two counts of burglary, two counts of theft by unauthorized taking.

Bertha M. Wood, 45, Bangor, theft by unauthorized taking.

Joline Yeager, 25, Bangor, assault on an emergency medical care provider.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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