How we wrote the stories
Over the span of 2023, the Bangor Daily News published stories detailing the misconduct of Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright. To do so, we filed many public records requests with Oxford County for information, and spoke with sheriff’s office employees, county officials, Maine Criminal Justice Academy staff and out-of-state experts.
We found that the sheriff improperly traded guns from evidence, allowed uncertified cops to continue working as school resource officers and rebuked a deputy who reported the sheriff for asking him to go easy on an acquaintance.
The county and criminal justice academy have followed with their own investigations. On Feb. 7, 2024, the Oxford County commissioners unanimously voted to ask Gov. Janet Mills to remove the sheriff from office, saying he had “acted outside of his legal authority” and potentially committed theft when he sold guns from the evidence room without first contacting the owners.
In a response, the sheriff said he “has carried out every duty of his Office to the best of his ability, in good faith, and with an unwavering commitment to serve the Inhabitants of Oxford County.”
In May 2024, the governor decided not to remove Wainwright from office.
Behind the project:
Erin Rhoda
Maine Focus Editor
More on trading guns
Oxford County is missing receipts for its gun deals
The Oxford County Sheriff’s Office got new service weapons for its officers in 2020 in a trade with J.T. Reid’s Gun Shop in Auburn.
Oxford County will ask governor to remove sheriff
Christopher Wainwright improperly disposed of guns from evidence, among a handful of other offenses.
Oxford County commissioners say sheriff may have committed theft
In response to a BDN investigation, commissioners hired an investigator to look into the sale of 52 guns and gun parts from evidence.
While under investigation for illegally selling guns, sheriff got rid of more public property
Sheriff Christopher Wainwright continued to dispose of public property despite being told to stop, the complaint says.
More on removal PROCEEDINGS
Sheriff asks Oxford County to pay for his attorney who defended him against removal
He asked the county to pay $42,750.
Janet Mills will not remove embattled Oxford County sheriff
No Maine sheriff has been removed from office by the governor since 1926.
Fate of Oxford County sheriff rests with Janet Mills following hearing
Oxford County commissioners in February asked Gov. Janet Mills to remove Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright.
During removal hearing, Oxford County commissioners say they lost trust in sheriff
Monday’s hearing on whether to oust Christopher Wainwright was historic as efforts to remove elected sheriffs are rare in Maine.
Oxford County puts sheriff’s fate in hands of governor
Oxford County Sheriff Christopher Wainwright said he has acknowledged his mistakes but does not believe they merit removal.
Janet Mills picks former judge to oversee hearing on sheriff’s removal
Maine Supreme Judicial Court Justice Donald G. Alexander will oversee the process of whether Christopher Wainwright will be removed from office.
Oxford County says sheriff lied under oath in ‘baseless’ lawsuit
Christopher Wainwright filed the suit after commissioners asked for him to be removed from office.
Oxford County commissioner puzzled by governor’s decision that sheriff didn’t break law
“I respect what Justice Alexander wrote. He’s got years of experience. I’m just puzzled, I guess. I’ll put it that way. I’m puzzled,” David Duguay said.