BELFAST, Maine — An accused arsonist who reportedly set fire to his Thorndike home in March to “burn the demons out” and then allegedly pulled his girlfriend into the burning building has been indicted by the Waldo County grand jury.
Randy R. Tremaine, 42, has been charged with arson, domestic violence assault and violation of his conditions of release from a prior charge. Arson is a Class A felony, and if found guilty on that charge he could face up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Tremaine had moved to a rented house on East Gulch Road in Thorndike just a week before he is accused of trying to burn it down, according to the affidavit in support of Tremaine’s arrest written by state fire investigator Stewart Jacobs. A volunteer firefighter in Thorndike spotted the fire on the morning of March 16 and went to the home, where Tremaine allegedly told him he had set the fire to burn the demons out, Jacobs wrote. Tremaine also had cuts to his face and hands.
Reginald Cunningham, the volunteer firefighter, was unnerved by Tremaine’s behavior and went to the main road to wait for the Fire Department to arrive, Jacobs wrote. But first, a woman who said she was Tremaine’s girlfriend came to the house and went to the front porch of the burning dwelling to try to talk the man out of it. The woman told police later that Tremaine had grabbed her, pulled her through an open window and caused her to hit her head on the window frame. She was able to escape, Jacobs wrote.
When firefighters arrived, Tremaine reportedly was combative and was subdued by a volunteer from the Troy Fire Department. After a police officer arrived, Tremaine was taken by ambulance to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor to be treated. Firefighters weren’t injured, but their efforts to put out the fire in the building were delayed and there was extensive damage, according to a previous BDN report.
Jacobs wrote that he found at least three separate areas of fire origin in the garage and outside the home.
Bail conditions for Tremaine include being subject to searches of his person, vehicle and residence for incendiary devices at any time, that he not return to 5 Gulch Road in Thorndike, and that he not use or possess incendiary devices, matches or lighters.
Also indicted were:
Rebecca Jaye Green, 25, Belfast, criminal operating under the influence, operating after suspension.
Scott N. Sayce, 51, Dixfield, trafficking in prison contraband (heroin).
Morris G. Young, 28, Winter Harbor, trafficking in prison contraband (heroin).
Christopher M. Herrick, 33, Belfast, unlawful trafficking of oxycodone.
Jason Jones, 32, Bronx, New York, unlawful trafficking of oxycodone.
Brandi J. Littlefield, 27, Belfast, stealing oxycodone.
Christopher A. Brillard, 31, Unity, domestic violence assault, violation of a protection order, violation of condition of release, criminal mischief.
Jade E. Cummings, 21, Northport, unlawful possession of hydrocodone.
Shawn Gerry, 46, Belfast, gross sexual assault.
Kane T. Ackley, 30, Swanville, burglary, theft by unauthorized taking.
Byrlynne D’Angela Ellis, 36, transient, theft by unauthorized taking.
Jesse R. Young, 32, Frankfort, domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.
Harold Eugene Leathers, 45, Searsmont, violation of sex offender registration, violation of conditions of release.
Brian A. Piantidosi, 52, Burnham, domestic violence assault.
Peter Payson Roberts, 63, Brooks, burglary, domestic violence assault.
Adam Cross, 45, Belmont, gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact.
Dean William Frost, 49, Swanville, domestic violence assault, domestic violence reckless conduct.
Jazman E. Nash, 26, Rockland, aggravated forgery, operating after revocation, improper plates.
Daniel R. Kesmetis, 32, Augusta, receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs.
Branden H. Ricker, 37, Jackson, operating after revocation, violation of condition of release.