PRESQUE ISLE — An off-duty U.S. Border Patrol agent from Jackman was hit with several charges this week after allegedly setting off fireworks inside and outside his hotel room in Presque Isle.
Presque Isle Police Chief Matt Irwin said in a written statement Wednesday that the incident took place on Tuesday just before midnight at the Presque Isle Inn and Convention Center on Main Street, which is located near the University of Maine at Presque Isle.
According to Irwin, Michael Mielnicki, age unavailable, was setting off fireworks in his hotel room and in the parking lot, disturbing other guests. When officers approached Mielnicki, he became combative. He was charged with refusing to submit to arrest or detention, criminal mischief, cruelty to animals, possession of a usable amount of marijuana and disorderly conduct.
Irwin was in a meeting Wednesday and not immediately available to elaborate on the cruelty to animals charge. Irwin’s statement did indicate that it was during the investigation that Mielnicki identified himself as a border patrol agent assigned to the Department of Homeland Security at the Jackman station.
Michelle Benson-Fuller, spokesperson with Customs and Border Protection, said Wednesday that the agency planned to cooperate fully with the investigation.
“Customs and Border Protection stresses honor and integrity in every aspect of our mission, and the overwhelming majority of CBP employees and officers perform their duties with honor and distinction, working tirelessly every day to keep our country safe,” she said. “We do not tolerate corruption or abuse within our ranks, and we fully cooperate with any criminal or administrative investigations of alleged misconduct by any of our personnel, on or off duty.”
Management at the hotel could not be reached for comment Wednesday morning about a damage estimate to the hotel room.
Mielnicki was taken to the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton. Bail was set at $500 cash or $5,000 surety and a condition that he not consume alcohol if released. He will appear in Presque Isle District Court on Jan. 22, 2014.
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