Operation to Target Child Exploitation in Maine by Multi Agencies Conducted This Week With Two Arrested on Related Charges During the Operation
According to the Maine Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Shannon Moss, an operation targeting focused child exploitation enforcement was conducted over four days this week in western and southern Maine.
Involved in the operation was the Maine State Police in cooperation with Homeland Security Investigations, the Sanford Police Department, the Eliot Police Department, the Kittery Police Department, the Biddeford Police Department, the Fryeburg Police Department, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office.
Sixteen search warrants and other related investigations were executed in Arundel, Biddeford, Bryant Pond, Eliot, Fryeburg, Hartford, Hiram, Hollis, Kittery, Limington, Lyman, Madison, North Waterboro, Norway, Sanford, Steep Falls, and West Paris.
The search warrants confirmed the possession, dissemination, and production of child sexual abuse material, as well as the dissemination of sexually explicit material to minors and online coercion of children to produce sexual abuse material.
Upon completion of the investigations, they will be turned over to the area district attorney offices or the U.S. Attorney for review and grand jury presentation.
During the operation, two people were arrested on related charges. Shawn Ramsay, 48, of Arundel, was arrested for possession of firearms in violation of a protection from abuse order. Benjamin Fecteau, 37, of Eliot, was arrested on two outstanding arrest warrants for failing to appear on charges of failure to comply with the sex offender registry, violation of conditions of release, theft, and refusing to submit to arrest.
This investigation remains ongoing.