Lincoln Academy Associate Head of School Andrew T. “Andy” Mullin participates in a panel on bullying at Skidompha Library on Nov. 3, 2011. (J.W. Oliver photo, LCN file)
Lincoln Academy Associate Head of School Andrew T. “Andy” Mullin pleaded guilty to operating under the influence Monday, July 10.
Mullin, 53, of Bristol, can either serve three days in jail or attend a first offender’s alternative sentencing program, according to Assistant District Attorney Matthew G. Kanwit. He will lose his license for 150 days and must pay a $1,000 fine.
The charge was class D criminal OUI, a misdemeanor. According to the criminal complaint, his alcohol level was 0.15 grams or more per 100 milliliters of blood or 210 liters of breath. The legal limit is 0.08.
The state dismissed a charge of class E driving to endanger, also a misdemeanor.
Mullin did not have any prior criminal history, according to Kanwit.
Newcastle attorney William M. Avantaggio represented Mullin.
“We reached an agreement with the state under which Mr. Mullin took responsibility for his mistake and accepted the consequences for that mistake,” Avantaggio said in an email responding to a request for comment.
The first offender’s alternative sentencing program involves 48 hours at Wavus Camps in Jefferson, where nonviolent offenders perform community service during the day and attend classes about substance abuse and other topics at night.
The program is “a good way for us to keep people out of jail who, for all other purposes, don’t really need to be there,” Kanwit said.
The program reduces recidivism more effectively than jail, according to Kanwit. It is also more cost-effective for the state. Instead of a net expense to house an inmate for three days, the program generates revenue because offenders pay $300 to participate.
Maine Pretrial Services Inc. manages the program in Maine Prosecutorial District 6, which consists of Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, and Waldo counties. The District 6 program usually begins at 4 p.m. Friday and ends at 4 p.m. Sunday. It takes place once each spring and fall. The next program will begin in October, according to Kanwit.
The case stems from an incident on Sproul Hill Road in Bristol late Saturday, March 25.
Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies found Mullin at the wheel of a vehicle blocking the road, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies were attempting to communicate with him when he placed the vehicle in reverse and struck a vehicle behind it at low speed.
Lincoln Academy suspended Mullin for 12 days after his arrest.
“Consistent with school policy, Mr. Mullin will be referred to a professional counselor selected by mutual agreement, and he has agreed to comply with any and all recommendations of the counselor as to further actions or counseling that he should undertake,” LA Head of School David Sturdevant said in a statement March 30.
“I am sorry that I have let Lincoln Academy down,” Mullin said in an apology included with the statement. “This is a difficult and emotional time for me and my family. I appreciate the support that has been extended to me by the Lincoln Academy community, which I have been proud to be a part of for almost 25 years.
“Drinking and driving is never acceptable. At Lincoln Academy, we teach students the values of responsibility, perseverance, and resiliency, and these are values I need to model during this challenging time. I am committed to taking responsibility for my actions, and to doing everything I can to emerge from this difficult experience as a better and stronger person.”
Sturdevant, in the statement, said, “It is my belief that this highly regrettable and troubling off-duty incident warrants the disciplinary actions that have been implemented consistent with school policy, and (Mullin’s) full acceptance of responsibility has led me to the decision that he should resume his service to Lincoln Academy following return from suspension.”
Mullin has worked at Lincoln Academy since the 1993-1994 school year, according to his bio on the school website. He was a study hall supervisor and worked in the alternative education and social studies departments before moving into administration. He also coaches the LA wrestling team.
