AUGUSTA, Maine — The Augusta man injured in a police-involved shooting Monday at Riverview Psychiatric Center’s outpatient clinic was accused of stealing a plane in September 2003 and crashing it into a field near Montreal, according to documents filed more than a decade ago in Androscoggin County Superior Court.
Jason Begin, 36, of Augusta was listed in stable condition Monday night, and no update on his condition was available Tuesday.
According to court documents, Begin was not brought to trial for stealing the 1976 Cessna 150 from Twitchell’s Airport and using a screwdriver and pliers to hot-wire it because he was deemed mentally ill and thus not criminally responsible, according to an August 2004 commitment order issued by Superior Court Justice Thomas Delahanty II.
Begin did not hold a pilot’s license, according to investigators.
Investigators at the time said they believed Begin, who was living in Lewiston and had a history of depression and suicidal thoughts, was trying to get to Montreal so he could avoid sexual assault charges in Maine.
A September 2003 affidavit prepared by Detective Sgt. William Gagne of Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Office noted at the time of the plane theft that Begin was out on bail for three counts of unlawful sexual contact and one count of gross sexual assault.
Augusta Deputy Chief Jared Mills said Monday that shortly before 4 p.m. Monday, Augusta police Officer Laura Drouin was sent to the East Chestnut Street facility after mental health professionals requested help in dealing with Begin.
“After contact was made, an incident involving deadly force occurred,” Mills said in a written statement.
Drouin was not injured and has been placed on paid administrative leave, per department protocol, Mills said.
The state’s attorney general’s office is investigating to determine whether deadly force was warranted.
Bangor Daily News writer Ryan McLaughlin contributed to this report.
