City
Auburn panhandler has criminal history
AUBURN — His name is John Stevens, he's 43 and homeless since a fire destroyed his Augusta apartment last March. And though his driver's license is suspended and he's without car insurance, he commutes 62 miles a day to panhandle near the Burger King off Mount Auburn Avenue.
He's also a convicted sex offender and a felon, though you wouldn't know it from his sign soliciting help.
"They booted me out of Augusta," Stevens said Wednesday as he solicited donations from passers-by. "I got two different tickets out of two different towns, Waterville and Topsham. This is the only place I can go and the cops don't bother me."
Sgt. Christopher Shaw of the Augusta Police Department said Wednesday that Augusta has no specific ordinance against panhandling, but police have been charging panhandlers around the Wal-Mart and Marketplace shopping centers with trespassing at the request of store owners. Police had received a number of complaints about the growing number of panhandlers there, including a complaint about one man who had a roll of several hundred dollars, all $20 bills, on him when he was charged.
Augusta police never charged Stevens with trespassing, and had no record of any contact with him panhandling in Augusta.
Stevens was convicted in 1997 in Kennebec County Superior Court of unlawful sexual contact. He was sentenced to serve four years, with all four years suspended. His victim was under 14 years old. According to the Maine State Bureau of Identification, he is considered a sexually violent predator as a result of that conviction.
According to the Maine Sex Offender Registry, his permanent address as of Sept. 3, 2009, was an apartment at 382 Water St., Augusta.
"It's a motel place, and we stayed there because I have a friend there that kinda stays there," Stevens said Wednesday. "I have to have a permanent address."
He asked that his sex-offender status not be reported "because I would really get in problems with people up here if they had any idea. I ain't no pervert and I don't chase children."
Stevens' criminal record includes three felony convictions, including a burglary conviction in 1986 when he was sentenced to serve three years in jail, with all but 90 days suspended, the 1997 sex conviction and a conviction in 1988 for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and theft by unauthorized taking. He was sentenced to serve five years in prison on the 1988 charges, concurrent with sentences for convictions of misdemeanor assault, burglary and theft. He also has 14 misdemeanor convictions, including convictions for theft, assault, criminal mischief and criminal trespass.
According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, his license to drive is under suspension indefinitely following an accident in Augusta in early October after he was unable to provide proof of insurance. Stevens' license has been suspended four times before the most recent suspension.
His Maine driving record includes seven convictions for speeding violations between 2001 and 2009, and convictions for failure to yield right of way, operating after suspension, littering from a motor vehicle, violation of Maine's seat belt law, improper passing, hitchhiking and failure to obey a traffic signal.
According to a Kennebec Journal report, Stevens leaped from the second floor of his burning apartment building at 62 Chapel St. in Augusta last March, and was caught by two police officers as he hit the ground. The cause of the fire was later determined to be an aging electric pencil sharpener left on in another apartment while the tenant was away.
Jerry Fleury, the building's owner, said Stevens and his wife had been renting the apartment for about five months before the fire. They lived there with their two cats, and had no children. Fleury said Stevens had a bad back and was not employed when he lived at the Chapel Street building.
Fleury remembered seeing Stevens panhandling at the Augusta Wal-Mart for months after the fire, but then he disappeared. Early this week, Fleury drove to Auburn to shop at The Home Depot and was surprised to see Stevens panhandling on Mount Auburn Avenue with the same sign he used to panhandle in Augusta for six months.
Stevens, who has appeared in at least one local television news cast, recently called the Sun Journal to publicize his story.
"My wife gets paid bi-weekly," he said, adding that he can't work because he's disabled. "She don't make enough so we can get into an apartment. It kills me to be up here (asking for money)."
He said he's been fighting more than two years to get disability payments and has been denied multiple times. He's now waiting to go before a judge. He's also on pain medications and said he argues with the state all the time "because they won't pay for them."
Of the panhandling, Stevens said it was "better than stealing."
"I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back," he said, pocketing nearly $30 during the 20-minute interview.
rmetzler@sunjournal.com
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Displaying comments, from newest to oldest
Myfourkids, your comment
Myfourkids, your comment "What is to stop anyone from standing around doing this if one person is allowed to?" is right on target. I've been in cities where tourists must essentially run a gauntlet of panhandlers whenever they're in the touristy areas. Panhandlers don't generally beg where they live. They go to where the people with deeper pockets are. Panhandlers can become remarkably aggressive, even intimidating, particularly when there's a passle of them in one area, competing for handouts. No, not all of them are problematic. But even one aggressive beggar is too many. I applaud Augusta for getting rid of these bums at the Marketplace. Who wants to shop where you're constantly getting harassed by bums? I'm not crazy about buskers either, but at least they DO something for the money they hope to collect from passersby.
BTW, I didn't see Stevens at his usual spot today. Perhaps he was taking a V-day.
verified queenhoneybee, I too am a
queenhoneybee, I too am a survivor, but I have no compassion for child molester or
any other one. This guy had a nerve to ask the SJ not to mention he was a pedophile and that he wasn't a pervert. Well you know what buddy... you are a pervert!!! You sexually assaulted a child!! Whether you did it once or ten times, you're a child molester! this guy claims he can't work due to back problems but he can stand and beg for money hours on end every day? He should be chased out of Auburn too! he's a distraction for one. how do all of that give him money even know what he uses it for?
the victim in the case is a
the victim in the case is a child who has to live with what he did to him/or her!!!! the people he took from
This guy is more or less
This guy is more or less saying he would rob you blind... if he could... " "I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back," My husband has a tumor on his back, and he still wakes up every morning to support his family by going to WORK! He gets no charity from this chunky monkey
"They booted me out of
"They booted me out of Augusta," Stevens said
Looks like we should boot him out of Lewiston & Auburn too.
verified With all of the legitimate
With all of the legitimate charities in need today how can people waste their hard earned money with this low life. In the article he admits that he would steal instead of panhandleing but he is unable to steal due to his disabilities. What credibility! Folks, give your excess money to United Way, Salvation Army, the Good Shepherd food pantry, St. Martin de Pores, etc, etc,etc, but not to this guy from Augusta. Come on, society is getting too tolerant with those who choose to screw the good hearted! He should stay in Augusta but apparently they don't want him there either!
Hey he seems like a nice guy
Hey he seems like a nice guy to me. I've handed him a couple bucks before, ill definitely hand him a couple bucks again. I'm sure he;ll put it to better use than I would. No harm no foul.
so you need your head
so you need your head examined too. where should we donate for that???
Hey dosh, being a member of
Hey dosh, being a member of the "Peace Corps" did they teach you respect of religions, or is the disrespect shown in your Jesus dressup an example of your "liberal chicque"?
That’s it I’m going to
That’s it I’m going to make a sign that reads.
Never been arrested
I have a full time job
please give me money.
I do feel bad for this man think about it he makes $90 hr when he works. Doesn't pay taxes doesn’t have a driver license or insurance yet drives to and from his "job" site. Standing all day with a bad back and the government won’t give him any hand out or oxycodone. PEOPLE please this man is an honest man he says his house burnt down although it was his apartment, don’t you know how much it cost to move from one apartment to the next.
You know what I am going to try to help this man. I will make a bigger sign that says.
Help this man!
He has lost everything including
1 case of sexual assault
2 cases of burglary
1 case selling drugs
and 14 misdemeanor
This man is a VICTIM!
Now I can’t do it during the week see I have a job that I have to be at so any volunteers?
sign me up..... do i get to
sign me up..... do i get to keep some of the money??? tax free baby!!!!
I am glad that this article
I am glad that this article was published. I have also got a "creepy" vibe from this guy - it makes me uncomfortable that he can stand there like that and I had hoped that he would have been asked to move on by now by the stores and/or police. Whether or not he has a disability or mental illness, he doesn't belong panhandling and causing traffic distractions at a busy intersection. I do hope that he gets the help he needs through the appropriate channels, but I do not support what he is doing to make money. What is to stop anyone from standing around doing this if one person is allowed to? I am also unhappy to hear that he is a convicted sex offender and has a substantial criminal record. I am betting that his hand out days are over in this neck of the woods!
If he can commute 62 miles
If he can commute 62 miles and stand there with a sign all day, he can work as a flagger. The truth is, he is un-hireable because he's a bum.
Last I knew there was a
Last I knew there was a "product stocking" job available at the Mt. Auburn Ave. BK. Maybe he could get that?
Ask for "Kim".
verified Typical of todays
Typical of todays lay-a-bouts. Scamming the system instead of trying to do an honest days work. And our system lets them get away with it. The police should nail him for driving w/o a licence and the IRS for not reporting his money from donations.
We have let our system create a mess where there are more in the wagon than pulling it. How long do you think that will last?
verified I think I've seen him at the
I think I've seen him at the new Bangor Walmart too!!!!!!!
This specimen is a insult to
This specimen is a insult to down and out people everywhere! I agree with oo7, call the IRS! I had no idea that the homeless had a place to commute from! I tend to believe the best giving one can do is to buy a can of something to eat, or give to a food bank etc. In other words, to those who need it and to sustain life not as a vocation.
verified since I don't read the
since I don't read the entire paper, I appreciate this being on the front page. I would not have stopped to give him anything, not because I don't give to those less fortunate than myself, but because I support the systems of the United Way, the Salvation Army and Good Shepard food bank. That way I am confident that my money is going for a real cause and not just to line someones pockets.
To Polanski, or to not
To Polanski, or to not Polanski, that is the question.
I've seen this guy many
I've seen this guy many times over summer and fall, being a traffic nuisance on the corner of Mt Auburn Ave and the Wal-Mart entrance. I didn't believe his "house fire" sign for a second. Decent people who are victims of fire don't beg on street corners like common panhandlers, nor do they continue to beg month after month after month. He also gave me a creepy vibe, which was apparently well-founded based on his criminal intentions and history. I was amazed to see people stopping to give this guy money. It's so obvious he's not on the up-and-up.
Have been wondering why the Auburn police allowed him to cause a traffic distraction in the middle of the street, and now I'm wondering even more why they're allowing a convicted criminal to panhandle in the middle of the biggest shopping area around. If there aren't any teeth in Auburn laws to cover this situation, then I suggest somebody get busy and rectify the situation.
Normal people truly in need deserve all the help we can give them. Criminals also deserve help, but the kind of help that leads to rehabilitation and acceptance of living within societal norms. Rewarding a criminal with money for doing nothing but holding his hand out while admitting he'd just as soon steal is not helping anyone.
WOW WHO APPROVE THIS FOR
WOW WHO APPROVE THIS FOR FRONT PAGE NEWS ALL TIME LOW OF NEWS REPORTING
i am happy the sun journal
i am happy the sun journal put this on the front page and if the jerk is going for ssi that must be because he hasn't worked enough to get the normal social security, that also means he is STILL taking from the people, or trying to. i have a feeling when social security reads this they will see that he CAN IN FACT WORK!!!! NICE JOB SUN JOURNAL!!!! save the social security for the old people that REALLY need it!!!!!!!
look either walmart needs to
look either walmart needs to hire this guy as a greeter(obviously he can stand and welcome everybody to the parking lot) or get rid of him,i saw this guy a couple months ago in bangor doing the same thing.for all of you that feel so sorry for this guy why don't all of you get together and help him...maybe he can drive you kids around for you or even babysit for you???this is a joke that this is even allowed,i think the next time i go to walmart i'll bring him some monopoly money...get rid of this guy
verified "I could be out thieving and
"I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back," he said, pocketing nearly $30 during the 20-minute interview. - I don't know I am thinking 90$ an hour is pretty good cash. Tax free too! Its too bad I have dignity or I just might make myself a sign too!
staff Scott Thistle We just
Scott Thistle
We just thought it would make sense to have a conversation for people who want to give and how they can do so with the confidence to know their donation will go to a legitimate cause. Hopefully some people will find that informative and useful. We have guests from the Salvation Army and the United Way joining us.
Please join the conversation at noon.
http://www.sunjournal.com/node/427483
staff Hey all, We're going to be
Hey all,
We're going to be hosting a chat at noon about how to give to charities, and where your charitable dollars go.
You can follow along right here: http://www.sunjournal.com/node/427483
oh this is nice now someone
oh this is nice now someone begging on here too. like people want to donate after this article, especially online?!?!?!?!
staff That wasn't our intention.
That wasn't our intention. Our intention was that, if you want to help people in need -- what's the way that will help someone the most? Who can you trust? How do you know your money is going to someone who needs it? We're going to have reps from the United Way and the Salvation Army chatting with us about the work they do and how they use your money.
ok sorry i misread the whole
ok sorry i misread the whole thing, good luck with that.
As I indicated below, this
As I indicated below, this guy is not an angel. Of course, there are concerns that he is conning people in the L-A area. However, the front page of the newspaper is not the place for such a mundane story. As I see it, there are a few major problems with this piece:
1. So he's a homeless con with a criminal record: who cares? Every town in America has somebody like this. If you think that he's a public danger, complain to Walmart and have him thrown out from the front of the store. If you think it's dangerous for him to be loitering on the street, complain to the police. The front page is not a place to write about about every vagrant in the L-A community.
2. Even if the authors meant to raise awareness about the possibility that this man might commit a crime, their angle tends to offend those with common sense. As others have communicated in this thread, Maine has a number of excellent social programs to help people in need. This man would be a great candidate for any number of these programs. The fact that he is out on the street begging should raise a red flag for anybody with basic social skills and experience in life. If you choose to be duped by this man, it's really your own fault. Your momma told you to never talk to strangers for a good reason.
3. The major fear that I have about this piece is that it is predicting that this guy will commit a crime, but isn't really outing him for criminal behavior aside that for which he's already been punished. So, he's taking advantage of people with an emotional tale of a life of ruin. Is he the only person doing this in the L-A area? I doubt that. The problem is that the article casts him as somebody who should be rejected and despised. It crosses the line of reporting and unfairly demonizes him. By putting him on the front page the Sunjournal is saying that he is worse than the countless others like him. If he is assaulted by some stupid thugs who've read the article it wouldn't surprise me. My point: articles like this can spark mob-like behavior. If the article was smaller and on another page inside the paper, it'd simply be a "heads up" article. But instead, putting it on the front page communicates "Red Alert" and functions as a call to vigilante action, whether this was intended or not.
I would expect professional journalists to see the indirect consequences of media reports like this one. Any J-school should have taught this. The fact that this has escaped the Sunjournal makes me deeply ashamed of my hometown newspaper that I continue to read despite having moved out of state.
A couple of problems with
A couple of problems with this statement
1. he is not on walmart property he is on city property, walamrt does not tolerate panhandling, its hard enough for organizations to get permission to do that, and i have seen them kick people out with political petitions.
2. This man is choosing not to use social programs available to him, unfairly demonizing him? he is a convicted sex offender he doesn't "live" in the area so its not like the SJ can put him on the sex offender alert for the paper
3. no place in the article did the reporter claim to be a seerer into the future, or predict is future crime, it is interesting how augusta still feels he is a threat though
Thank you sunjournal for posting this for all to view!
Seriously!!! I find this
Seriously!!! I find this article to be VERY front page noteworthy(about time, it's not about unemployment, home foreclosures etc), hardly "vigilante" beckoning. I "give" enough of my money away each and EVERY day I go to WORK and pay taxes, why should he be allowed to continue as he's doing??? He is NOT needy, sinister!!! What's your address, perhaps we collect enough money so that we can relocate him to your area......
verified After reading the many
After reading the many comments here, I have a couple of comments myself.
1) A majority of you are ready to throw him under the train, or bus, or whatever is the most convienient for crimes which he was already been convicted of and served a sentence for. Don't you all realize that he payed for his crimes according to the law.
2.) I'd like to know how many of the posters are Christians. By the tone of the comments, I'd say NONE, but my intuition says otherwise. Makes me proud to be an atheist.
3) Read "Les Miserables", this person sounds like he should be named Jean Valjean.
4.) This one is most important, and has been my opinion for a long time. Many of you seem to have all the answers to all of our societal problems, too bad some of you wouldn't run for public office and use your self-stated expertise to change the way things a done.
I know I'll get lambasted for my views, but I just take the comments from hence they come, mostly from BEMs.
I guess he served his time
I guess he served his time rape a child get probation.And what about the laws he is breaking now now insurance his privilege's to operate a vehicle is revoked.Take him home pay him to watch your kids let him play with your grandchildren.This guy would rob his parents if he didn't already steal it.
Looks like we are stuck
Looks like we are stuck paying for this guy.He will re offend whether its burglary or molesting a child he will be back in jail where he belongs.
to bad Auburn's
to bad
Auburn's FINEST should remove this scum before we the people do it for them.Some of you make me sick.Defending this slime and you are actually worried about him being attacked! he didn't care about that child and what he did to her.My back is messed up and I can only stand a few minutes without being in tears.This guy is a con.WE NEED TO PROTECT OUR CHILDREN LETS REMOVE HIM.If the cops don't we will
PP----do you know these
PP----do you know these things for sure in your 3 continuous statements? No, you don't. If you did, you would be on a cop show as a psychic and getting paid big bucks. No matter what this guy has done and, in the eyes of the law, has paid for, you don't know he will reoffend. How many "little" illegal things have you done in your lifetime and not gotten caught? None of us are perfect. He may not be anyone's favorite person or citizen of the year, but he could have sent troops into a war we shouldn't be in, causing thousands of American deaths and gotten paid millions of dollars to be called Mr. President....extremely guilty, but legal. What's worse?
Do you have ANY idea what
Do you have ANY idea what this scum bag did? He crawled into bed with an 11 year old girl and molested her! Guess what his excuse was? "Oh, I thought it was my g.f.! I was SO tired I didn't even realize it was *******!"
And I know this for a FACT! How many people would confuse an 11 year old who weighed about 70 pounds with a 35 year old who weighed 170?? Exactly... only a child raping dirt bag searching for an excuse when caught red handed!
and i am glad they let us in
and i am glad they let us in on it, then we won't be the fools we have been being and keep feeding this guy. he is a liar and he only needs a JOB! like the rest of us. thanks sunjournal keep up the good work.
verified OMG...please dont publicize
OMG...please dont publicize my sex offender status???? Is this boy wacked or what....I think that Auburn PD needs to serve him with tickets and ban him from soliciting money from our community. He is a "violent sex predator". This scumbag has audacity. GET RID OF THIS LOSER FROM OUR CITY STREETS.
There is a day
There is a day care/montessori less then a mile from this walmart, someone needs to remove him if he a known sex offender
verified Having worked with a bad
Having worked with a bad back for over twenty years I can honestly say that I would be hard pressed to stand day after day holding a sign. Pain is a part of life. Get over it. learn to live with it like I did, it's not pleasant but life goes on.
Now for his rap sheet, I guess it kind of tells his life story.
i am with you ernest i have
i am with you ernest i have two herniated disks in my back, but you do learn to live with it, and i have to work like this too, that sign would absolutly kill me. so when he goes to his disability meeting, and they asked are there ANY jobs you can do? he'll say no, they'll take out the pics of him and say, hey we think you will make a great sign holder. i think when he first got here he said he had kids to feed too
Thank you Sunjournal for the
Thank you Sunjournal for the enlightening article. Amazing that this sort of activity is allowed and can ONLY hope due to his "story" being told along with his criminal history, we become more the wiser and escort him out of town. Seriously, if he's that down on his luck, do as everyone else does and use the proper resources within the community, obviously asking for a "handout" is not beneath him to do. If in fact his "story" is true, then he would be a qualified candidate for those resources.....Let's not forget to "comend" him for not going out stealing & burglarizing.....hello!!Very shameful!!! He can make $30 in 20 minutes.......OMG!!!!WOW!!!
if it's that easy, hell
if it's that easy, hell i'm just gonna go make a sign and stand at the other end of wally world so when you see me please donate cuz i am so tired of working and i had a house fire once.
verified You are sick!!!
You are sick!!!
verified This is too bad really.
This is too bad really. Economic times are tough and its hard for anyone to find a job or do some kind of work. I think part of being a human being is having some compassion and a little more understanding... but all too often people are just too quick to judge. Unfortunately for sex offenders that little thing called 'privacy' doesn't exist no matter how much of an outstanding citizen they may be. I agree that there are some that are high-risk and may not have got the right kind of help. That doesn't entitle anyONE to violate their privacy by posting their personal information, exact addresses where they live, or exact work addresses. This only heightens their risk to be physically attacked or harassed. All sex offenders are treated the same and there is no biased when it comes down to the law/sex offender registry. No matter what we do as a society, no matter the precautions we take, no matter what we do to violate another person's privacy... its still going to happen by other people, in another place, in another city. I know its all hard for you all to believe, but there are some out there that don't re-offend. One of the best ways and getting them help-whether it be giving a panhandler money till he gets by to rightfully be on social security because of a physical disability, hiring them-so that they can be working class citizens and not have more stresses, and housing them (in our cities) or our towns to give them a chance at life... all in the sake of making of increasing the possibility statisticallly that some don't re-offend.
Yes, call me crazy-go right ahead. However, I know first hand because I am a SURVIVOR (of sexual abuse, rape, and even sexual harassment). I takes a lot of guts to forgive and let go. There is nothing more empowering and NO ONE from SJ who wants to make a rude comment back to me, or society, or anyONE else can take that away from me.
to bad YOU MAKE ME SICK
to bad
YOU MAKE ME SICK !!!!!!!!!PEOPLE LIKE YOU MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO REOFFEND.THIS IS A CRIME THAT SHOULD NOT BE FORGIVEN.TOUCHING A CHILD RAPING A CHILD WHAT EVER HE DID HE DIDNT SERVE ANY TIME FOR THIS.HE DESERVES NOTHING NO COMPATION NO FOOD NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to bad
to bad
Queenhoneybee gives me the
Queenhoneybee gives me the hives.
including a burglary
including a burglary conviction in 1986 when he was sentenced to serve three years in jail, with all but 90 days suspended, the 1997 sex conviction and a conviction in 1988 for unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs and theft by unauthorized taking. He was sentenced to serve five years in prison on the 1988 charges, concurrent with sentences for convictions of misdemeanor assault, burglary and theft. He also has 14 misdemeanor convictions, including convictions for theft, assault, criminal mischief and criminal trespass. ..............................i suggest you re-read this story lady, you are not the only one that was a victim of a sex predator on here either, looks like he DID make a few bucks BURGLARIZING!!!!!!! what a LOSER!!!!!!!!!! take him home with you PLEASE!!!!!!!!
verified No, no honey-I am a
No, no honey-I am a SURVIVOR, not a victum. =]
don't call me honey, what is
don't call me honey, what is the big different from a survivor and a victim????? even if you do shed some light on this, i still think this guy should get arrested the minute he leaves to go driving without a lisence and/or insurance, we all haave to have it, we all work in pain, and some of us have had a house fire too. time to suck it up and move on boy, your meal ticket is OVER!!!!!!! thanks again sunjournal!!!!!!! i think i will go make a sign and stand at the other end of wallyworld, after all Christmas is coming!
The difference between a
The difference between a victim and a survivor is, a victim will be victimized for the rest of their life. Either by their own hand or that of others. A survivor is someone that takes what happened to them, uses it to benefit and help others and.....THEN MOVES ON! Not blaming others for their lives!
The Sun Journal has every
The Sun Journal has every right to post his "sexual offender history". It is a matter of public record you moron. He has been doing this panhandling for a very long time now. I'm sure that he has plenty of money! When he states that he could make money with burgularies but he can't because of his back, how the heck can he stand out there all day and beg for money? After all, he has a bad back. WTF
Queenhoneybee, aren't you a
Queenhoneybee, aren't you a martyr. Why don't YOU feed, shelter, and clothe this guy and his wife, hmmm?
I hope this little paragraph you've constructed doesn't happen to be part of a college research paper, because it sucks. If you've ever taken a glance through the sex offender registry for Lewiston-Auburn, you would see how often these predators re-offend!!!! Do your research!!!
hey lady, when he first got
hey lady, when he first got here he was lying to us and saying he was feeding his kids, right? where are they all of a sudden, some people donating are hurting too, but to feel sorry for a liar, come on give us a break, maybe you can house him in your garage or something.
verified You can forgive all you
You can forgive all you want. I've worked around the system long enough to know that predators do not rehabilitate. What this guy needs is a short drop and a sudden stop.
It is the undauntable thought, my friend. The one that says, "I'm right!" ~Bobby Sands
This scumbag is a child
This scumbag is a child molester! Don't give this piece of $&@* ANYTHING except 4 rubber marks to the face.
Here's a radical idea -
Here's a radical idea - perhaps a thieving sex offender is just as sick as a schizophrenic or somebody with a bad heart. If so, is he not just as deserving of help and perhaps COMPASSION? No well person would choose his lifestyle! Think about it, and for God's sake, somebody help that man!
I thought panhandling was
I thought panhandling was illegal. There are a lot of people facing difficult financial times right now, what would happen if they all took to the streets?
There is another guy who stands on the corner of Turner, Union, and Center St., his sign reads, "I'm not gonna lie, I want beer."
I saw that guy at the corner
I saw that guy at the corner of Lisbon & Main last week!
I can't believe this guy
I can't believe this guy wanted this in the paper. The comments I'm reading certainly are not in support of him. He really thought this might bring him help? The one thing this article brought to my attention is the lack of punishment of his crimes. All his sentences were suspended with a few days served. The system kept putting this guy back on the street. This shows me our judicial system is seriously broken. I have no sympathy for this guy obviously he never learned his lesson and kept committing crimes. And he goes to where the cops don't bother him. I hope they bother him now. I'd wager my life savings that someone will call the cops on him now.
I would like to thank the
I would like to thank the Sun Journal for publishing this article. This is great reporting! I've driven past this guy and at first felt bad for him but soon had an uneasy feeling about him. I guess my gut was right! I hope the Auburn PD will follow this scum as he leaves one day and ticket him for everything under the sun!
A reminder that the best way
A reminder that the best way to help the truly needy is through one of the many legitimate charities serving their needs. The $60 per hour this guy is raking in would support several families.
I work in Augusta & saw him
I work in Augusta & saw him there on a daily basis for months. When I saw him in Auburn a couple of weeks ago I was so angry. Stop using your apartment fire to make a living!! I know plenty of people who have lost HOUSES who have CHILDREN & can pull it together! Excuses...excuses.
Well, isn't this
Well, isn't this interesting, I actually watched this guy a bit while gassing up at the Walmart stn. Low and behold he wandered across the street,had enough for the day I guess, climbed into a tan pick-up with a cap,front all smashed in, it was parked in the Burger King parking lot,and off he drove......no license??No insurance?? Rap sheet as long as my arm...appparently it doesn't matter,he's laughing at us folks,laughing.....
Isn't there a panhandling
Isn't there a panhandling ordinance in Auburn? If not, there should be...today.
Tax evasion should be the
Tax evasion should be the next item listed on his rap sheet.............anyone out there work for the IRS?
verified Helping people in need is
Helping people in need is our duty and obloigation. Unfortunately we do not always have the resources and time to check and see if the person requesting help is truly in need or a con artist. As mentioned in other letters if this person can stand and hold a sign for hours on end he can find work in construction doing same. I consider such beggars con artists. This is why we have groups such as Red Cross, Salvation Army, our churches, and the local government welfare office as well as the disability insurance. The fact he has been denied disability may well mean he is not really disabled. $30 in 20 minutes and tax free doesn't sound all bad an income for the work expanded here. It is unfortunate though because that money could be put to better use helping the truly needy. Next time a panhandler is seen, this story should come to mind. Panhandling is not a profession we should want to encourage.
"I could be out thieving and
"I could be out thieving and stuff and probably make more money, but I can't do it with my back,"he says. LOL.....the only reason hes not robbing anyone is because he has a bad back! Another prime example of, L/A it's happening here! LET'S GET THIS FRIGGIN SCUM BAG OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!
Better yet, if I see him out
Better yet, if I see him out there, i'll go into Walmart, purchase a piece of posterboard and a sharpie, and make a sign that says "The state considers the man next to me to be a sexually violent predator" and stand there with him until he leaves.
Dr. Dosh, I guess it didn't
Dr. Dosh, I guess it didn't occur to you that there is a portion of society that doesn't care if a pedophile is cold or hungry. If he is healthy enough to stand by the road holding a sign all day, he is healthy enough to work. I have given this man money in the past, and if I see him again, I will "politely request" my money back.
wow $30. in 20 min and the
wow $30. in 20 min and the police dont bother him? No wonder he travels so far.. and if he is homeless why does he commute back and forth?
He made $20 in 20 minutes,
He made $20 in 20 minutes, therefore it equals $90 per hour! That's insane! I know that he probably doesn't get that all the time, and probably got it because of the newspaper standing there questioning him. There should be a limit to how long someone could stand there, if at all! This should be against the law! If this guy keeps doing it and getting away with it, how much longer before there are people with their own stories on every busy street corner. If he is making that much money after standing out there for months, and his wife is getting paid bi-weekly they must have PLENTY of money to get another apartment. Hopefully the people of Lewiston/Auburn will STOP giving immediately and give to the local charities, like soup kitchens and shelters. To top this all off, this panhandler doesn't even have to pay taxes!
You want to know what's
You want to know what's sad..I have given money to this person feeling bad for them because of the house fire. why is it when someone tries to help those less fortunate something like this appears and ruins it. It is like a slap in the face...I had no idea of his criminal history. And further more why didn't Auburn's finest stop and question him run a background check on him maybe he wouldn't have been panhandling at Wal-mart so long. And why didn't Wal-mart ask him to leave? but you do have to give him credit for thinking it out..of all the places to go to collect money.
verified Looks like I'll be buying a
Looks like I'll be buying a few extra tomatoes next time I go to Wal Mart. Anybody with me? A little pedophile target practice?
It is the undauntable thought, my friend. The one that says, "I'm right!" ~Bobby Sands
verified To shepman81: the point of
To shepman81: the point of the article is to show the guy is a SHAM & NOT to give this guy $$$ & if you DON'T watch it he may slide your wallet. I mean what a perfect place to set up @ Wal-Mart where a lot of people congregate ...he could slide your wallet & their goes your credit cards & possibly your identity if the guy is that bright.
He can't work, huh? But he
He can't work, huh? But he can stand all day with a sign? Seems to me he could work at road construction sites holding a sign if he is that determined to work...Do you smell something?
verified The real purpose of this
The real purpose of this article is to warn us of yet another sexual offender in our area. I hope all that read this never give this deviant any food or money because he doesn't deserve it. He commited the most heinous of crimes and that was a sexual crime on a child. I hope the police finally get him out of our area. I have absolutely no sympathy for this guy and hope he goes straight to h***!
Maybe people should take
Maybe people should take turns standing near him with their own signs letting people know his true character.
verified I have passed by this guy
I have passed by this guy quite a few times since he started camping at the Wal-mart entrance in Auburn. I have not given him a dime, and will not going forward. In Maine of all places, whre people move to for the easy public assistance, if you can't qualify for help, it's highly likely you don't really need it.
Nice Dosh, That's what I
Nice Dosh, That's what I would do; Blanket, coffee, sandwich-- help your brother. Cash contrarily, is the great enabler.
verified I am glad they wrote this
I am glad they wrote this story, and had contacted the Sun Journal at one point to dig a little deeper. This guy does a brisk business between his shopping cart getting stuffed and the cash that gets handed to him. I was leaving Wal-Mart a few weeks ago and four cars ahead of me were handing him money, and another time people were handing him bags of food on their way out, he didn't look too tortured. I wanted to know what the truth was, and I am sure others do too. I think I will wait for the Salvation Army buckets to appear and continue to donate to the shelters in the area instead of handing out money to strangers with signs.
I have been reading the
I have been reading the Sunjournal since I was 12 or 13 (I am now in my late 20s) and this has to be the worst article I have ever read in the newspaper. The front page story is about a random homeless guy with a criminal record? Not always bad, but the authors clearly have no idea how to write about the matter.
My question is this: What the heck is the point here? At some level, the authors seem sympathetic to the plight of a poor homeless man. At the same time, however, they seem to be demonizing him as a con-artist rapist. Maybe life is filled with irony (in this case the victim who is also villain), but I don't think this article meant to have an artistic angle, especially since there weren't any hints toward it.
I hope that the writers and editors of the Sunjournal will reconsider what they put on the front page. In an economy, and age of new media, that is crushing newspapers the Sunjournal cannot afford to turn away readers with such poorly written journalism.
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verified on "PUC staff: No go for energy firms’ wind deal"
Enron's Bastard Son, First Wind, Caught!
Docket 2011-170, feb 2, 2012 (see it all at http://www.windtaskforce.org)
"By filing their coordinated “exceptions” and letter, First Wind and APUC attempted to subvert the intention and effect of this rule. Therefore, the Examiners correctly excluded APUC’s and First Wind’s filings.
The Petitioners’ actions give rise to particular and very serious concerns.
Petitioners have deliberately attempted to inject new evidence into the record “through the back door,” long after the record closed on December 9, 2011 and at that point in the proceeding where other parties are not afforded a chance to respond, test the evidence through cross examination, engage in discovery, present witnesses, or otherwise have the benefit of the procedural safeguards of an evidentiary record Their Exceptions, containing these new facts, were filed in blatant disregard of at least two of the Commission’s rules and in direct violation of the Examiners’ January 19 Scheduling Order, and in an obvious attempt to influence the outcome. The rules violated are rules of integrity, fundamental fairness and substance, not mere housekeeping rules designed to advance administrative efficiency"
GET THEM OUT OF MAINE!
Petitioners violated Chapter 110 section 760-A(a) and (d~ of the Commission’s Rules. The filing of “exceptions” by APUC and First Wind violated the Ex Parte rule under Section 760-A(a) Petitioners’ subornation of these filings, as evidenced by the references to the filings in Petitioners Exceptions, also violates Section 760-A(d) which reads
No party in a proceeding shall request, encourage, suggest, or provide any assistance to any other person to make a communication that would violate subsection (a) of this section.
8Petitioners chose to engage in coordinated, concerted action with First Wind and APUC to assist them in an improper attempt to have a non-party influence the Commission after the date for filing exceptions, and to inject non-record information into evidence, and to couple this with a direct violation by commingling the prejudicial material into Petitioners own Exceptions. Petitioners deliberately cited to, quoted from, and indeed made such filings a part of their own January 23, 2012 Exceptions. Their awareness of procedural issues is revealed by the first footnote in their Exceptions. Petitioners’ actions were willful, ~vith the expectation that opposing parties would have no opportunity to respond,7 and for the primary purpose of influencing this Commission’s decision.
verified on "PUC staff: No go for energy firms’ wind deal"
Enrons's Bastard Son Caught!
see Feb 2 , 2012 docket 2011-170!!!
ELECTRONICALLY FILED ON FEBRUARY 2,2012
STATE OF MAINE
PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
BANGOR HYDRO ELECTRIC & )
MAINE PUBLIC SERVICE COS. )
Re: Request for Exemptions and for )
Reorganization Approvals )
Docket No. 2011-170
MOTION FOR DISMISSAL
AND SANCTIONS WITH
INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM
February 2, 2012
Now come the Office of the Public Advocate, Houlton Water Company, the Industrial Energy Consumer Group (“I7ECG”), and Boralex, Inc. (“Boralex”)(collectively, the “intervenors”) by and through their respective attorneys and move to dismiss these proceedings or to enter judgment against Bangor Hydro Electric Company and Maine Public Service Company (“Petitioners”) based upon the recommended findings of the Examiners~ Report.
I. INTRODUCTION
Petitioners have intentionally and recklessly violated the Commission’s Rules of Practice and the Examiners’ January 19, 2011 Scheduling Order by filing Exceptions tainted by prejudicial non-record information and by assisting and/or encouraging First Wind Holdings, LLC (“First Wind”) and Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. (“APUC”) to file unauthorized comments doing the same. According to the Examiners, these exceptions have been reviewed by the Commissioners. As described herein, further consideration of the case at this point would violate fundamental principles of due process and would be unduly prejudicial to the intervenors in this case. Of equal importance is the fact that the actions of the Petitioners, First Wind and Algonquin Power have damaged the integrity of the adjudicatory process by intentionally exposing the Commissioners and their advisors to information outside of the record that, even if the Commission can ignore, undermines public confidence in the process. Dismissal with prejudice orjudgment against Petitioners are the appropriate remedies and sanctions for Petitioners’ violations of the Commission’s Rules and the January 19 Schedul
verified on "Lewiston's Bob Stone: New face on MTA board"
Well this was fun to read.
Well this was fun to read.
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