New Limerick man arrested in firearm incident

By Joseph Cyr
Staff Writer
    HOULTON — Houlton police arrested a 27-year-old New Limerick man Sunday following a gun incident in Houlton.
    Benjamin M. Carton of New Limerick was arrested at 11 p.m. Sunday and charged with criminal threatening with a firearm (a class C crime). He was also charged with threatening display of weapon (a class D crime), carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (a class E crime) and disorderly conduct (a class D crime).
    He was released from the Aroostook County Jail on bail Monday.
    Alcohol was a factor, according to Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin. The alleged incident occurred on 21 Spring St, at the home of David F. McGuire. As a result of the investigation, a loaded Marlin 882 .22 magnum rifle was seized at the scene. Also recovered was .22 magnum ammunition, a .308 lever action rifle and .308 ammunition.
    “At 10:48 p.m., Sgt. Eric Crouse, Officer Richard York and Officer Stewart Kennedy were dispatched to 21 Spring St. in response to some type of altercation taking place,” the chief said. “The officers were informed that there was an individual standing outside the residence pointing a rifle at the occupants. Upon arrival, officers were able to place Mr. Carton under arrest without incident.”
    Prior to his arrest, Carton had been involved in a physical altercation inside the residence with David McGuire and Wade McGuire, Asselin said. David McGuire subsequently forced Carton outside the residence and into the passenger side of Carton’s truck.
    “Mr. Carton then allegedly took the rifle, rested it between the open door and the cab of the truck where he thereupon aimed it at David McGuire,” he said. “David McGuire then ran into the residence and the police were called.”
    When officers located the .22 magnum rifle that was allegedly used by Carton, they noted that it was loaded and ejected the round.