Former fireman enters guilty plea
in 2009 arson
By Kathy McCarty
PRESQUE ISLE — A former local firefighter charged in connection with a blaze that destroyed Northeast Packaging Co.’s Rice Street facility in Presque Isle nearly a year ago has pleaded guilty to the charge of arson during a recent appearance in Caribou Superior Court.
Timothy J. MacFarline, 25, of Easton was a volunteer firefighter with the Presque Isle Fire Department — one of 33 volunteers with the department — at the time of the blaze. An investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office found evidence linking the firefighter with the Nov. 13, 2009 fire, that totally destroyed the 150-foot by 300-foot metal structure and its contents. Firefighters from six communities were on the scene from late that evening well into the next day, trying to extinguish the blaze and prevent flames from spreading to nearby structures. Firefighting was made more difficult due to the contents of the building, which included paper, plastic and barrels of ink and alcohol solvent.
The Fire Marshal’s Office determined there was sufficient evidence to arrest MacFarline. He was charged Nov. 15. In addition to being a volunteer firefighter, he was also an employee of Northeast Packaging Co. He is no longer employed by either the PIFD or the company. His arrest followed a joint investigation by the PIFD, the Presque Isle Police Department, State Fire Marshal’s Office and Maine State Police. Security cameras at nearby businesses and witnesses’ statements provided sufficient data to bring about the arrest.
MacFarline posted $5,000 cash bail a day after his arrest and was indicted by the Grand Jury in January.
MacFarline’s case had been scheduled for docket call in May – a court appearance for the defendant and his attorney to report on the status of the case, such as whether the defendant would like to proceed to trial. The hearing earlier this year was continued until late last month, at which time MacFarline entered his plea in Superior Court in Caribou.
The District Attorney’s Office indicated MacFarline would undergo a psychological evaluation before his sentencing hearing, which is expected to occur in January 2011.
MacFarline faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.
