Detectives on Friday charged Timothy L. Ortiz, 22, of Brooklyn, New York, with murder in connection with the death of 30-year-old Biddeford resident Jonathan Methot at his home, 68 West Cutts St.
Methot was shot and killed just after 1 a.m. Monday at the house, which is part of a duplex adjoining 70 West Cutts St.
Ortiz was arrested Monday in Portland for violating probation related to charges out of New York that were unrelated to the shooting, said Steve McCausland, spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety.
In February, Ortiz was sentenced in Maine for aggravated sex trafficking, a Class B crime, and unlawful furnishing of scheduled drugs, a Class C offense. He was sentenced to four years in jail, with all but one year suspended, and three years’ probation.
Ortiz had been held at the Cumberland County Jail in Portland since his arrest on Monday, and appeared in Cumberland County Superior Court Friday morning, where he was formally charged with murder. He is scheduled to appear at York County Superior Court in Alfred at 1 p.m. Monday.
The Maine Department of Drug Enforcement has also been involved in the investigation to determine if Methot’s death was drug-related.
McCausland declined to comment on the investigation in a telephone interview Friday, saying the details of the crime will come out as Ortiz moves through the judicial process.
“The details of the investigation, including Ortiz’s apprehension on Monday, will likely come out as his case now proceeds in the court system. There is no additional information we’re releasing today on that,” McCausland said. “Any new information is going to come out through the court process, which will begin on Monday.”
MSP Major Crimes Lt. Brian McDonough did not respond to a request for comment Friday.
Methot’s death sent fear throughout the tiny neighborhood, located just west of the city’s downtown district. Some residents said there had recently been drug activity and other shootings there.
Methot was listed as a resident of the duplex as of Aug. 23. He had a criminal history dating back to 2005, which included convictions on charges of unlawful furnishing and possession of scheduled drugs, domestic violence assault, violating conditions of release and operating under the influence.
— Staff Writer Alan Bennett can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 329.
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