Maine Crime Archives - Lewiston Sun Journal

Fire investigators classify Mexico fire as ‘incendiary,’ search for individual

by Donna M. Perry January 8, 2026January 9, 2026

State fire officials are looking for a person seen on surveillance video in regard to a fire at a condemned, vacant house Tuesday night.

Maine, Maine Crime

Maine’s highest court considering whether state can be defendant in public defense lawsuit

by Emily Allen January 8, 2026January 8, 2026

The ACLU of Maine is trying to include the entire state in its lawsuit, not just its public defense leaders. The attorney general’s office says the state is immune.

Maine, Maine Crime, News

Auburn man with arson history indicted in spree of Lewiston fires

by Mark LaFlamme January 8, 2026January 9, 2026

By the time he was arrested for the dumpster fires in October, Johnny D. Briggs was already well known to police and fire crews.

Maine, Maine Crime, The Franklin Journal

Farmington man pleads not guilty to attempted murder of girlfriend

by Donna M. Perry January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Gunthar S. Swan was arrested last year for allegedly shooting his girlfriend in the face.

Maine, Maine Crime

Lewiston city councilor pleads not guilty to charges related to gun thefts

by Joe Charpentier January 7, 2026January 8, 2026

Iman Osman was arraigned Wednesday on two theft charges dating back to 2023 and 2024.

Maine, Maine Crime, News

3 takeaways from Maine’s annual crime report

by Drew Johnson January 6, 2026January 7, 2026

The overall crime rate has steadily declined in Maine since 2021, but some types of crime increased in 2024.

Maine, Maine Crime, News

Tremont couple’s deaths were a ‘mutual decision,’ family says

by Drew Johnson January 2, 2026January 4, 2026

Maine State Police had been investigating the deaths of William and Jyoti Hawley, who were found Dec. 23 on Mount Desert Island, as a murder-suicide.

Maine, Maine Crime, News

‘Naked and Afraid’ contestant sues Kennebec County, alleging privacy breach, stalking

by Keith Edwards January 2, 2026January 2, 2026

The Falmouth woman, a former county employee, claims the county’s former EMA director downloaded uncensored nude images of her taken during the show and that fellow employees retaliated against her for blowing the whistle.