On Feb. 16, a Lincoln County Grand Jury indicted five of eight defendants in a forgery case stemming from a summer 2010 investigation.
The Grand Jury charged Franklin Arbour Jr., 34, of Chelsea and Daroyl Wilson, 20, of Jefferson, with seven counts each of Aggravated Forgery, a Class B crime, one count each of Class B Forgery, and a single count each of Class C Theft by Deception.
Class B crimes are punishable by up to 10 years incarceration and a $20,000 fine; Class C crimes by up to five years incarceration and a $5000 fine.
Wilson allegedly told Damariscotta Police Chief Steve Drake that Arbour, while on probation for drug and weapons violations, taught him how to print counterfeit bills.
Wilson admitted to the possession of over $5000 in counterfeit bills, according to court documents.
Arbour and Wilson also allegedly printed and, with help from other defendants, cashed over $4500 in fraudulent payroll checks.
The Grand Jury indicted three other individuals, Nathan Brewer, 22, of Nobleboro, Thomas Hourihan, 22, of Damariscotta and John Hourihan, 20, of Damariscotta on a total of five counts of Class B Aggravated Forgery, as well as assorted counts of Class C and D Forgery and Theft By Unauthorized Taking.
Brewer and the Hourihans allegedly passed counterfeit bills and/or cashed fake checks made by Arbour and Wilson.
The Lincoln County News was unable to determine the status of charges against three other defendants – James Baker, Larry Keating and Dustin Malmstrom – by press time March 2.
