Detectives trying to arrest a Brunswick woman for alleged trafficking of prescription drugs Tuesday afternoon ended up arresting her and another man in the apartment and charging them each with assault on an officer.
Brunswick Deputy Police Chief Marc Hagan said shortly before 2 p.m., Detectives Richard Cutliffe and Greg Mears went to 9 Dunning St. to arrest Leishia Witham, 36, on a Class A charge of aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs. Hagan said Witham is alleged to have been selling prescription medication in a drug-free zone, within 1,000 feet of St. John’s Catholic School on Pleasant Street.
Cutliffe was able to reach through the door with one arm and grab hold of Witham, Hagan said, and held on to her as she continued to try to close the door, his shoulder and head in the door frame.
Hagan said the detectives hadn’t realized that Jesse York, 37, was in the apartment and at this point, “he ran full force against the door, pinning Detective Cutliffe between the door and door jamb.”
Cutliffe was able to force the door open and then he and Mears arrested Witham and York.
Witham was charged with Class A aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs, assault on an officer, which is a Class C felony, and the misdemeanor charge of refusing to submit to arrest of detention. York, who, according to police, resides in the same apartment as Witham at 9 Dunning St., was charged with Class C assault on an officer as well, and with the misdemeanor charge of obstructing government administration.
Following the incident, Hagan said Witham complained of pain and was taken by ambulance to Mid Coast Hospital where she was medically cleared and released into police custody. While at the hospital Cutliffe also was treated for minor injuries.
Both Witham and York were transported to Cumberland County Jail in Portland and given Cumberland County Superior Court dates of July 16, Hagan said. Bail was set at $1,640 for Witham and $800 for York.
dmoore@timesrecord.com
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less