A Maine police officer in Washburn is facing multiple charges after allegedly lying about a missing person case. Sgt. Chandler Cole resigned from the force after being charged with crimes including aggravated forgery, tampering with public records, and falsifying evidence. The charges stem from a report in which Cole claimed to have taken the missing man to a hospital but there is no record of such a visit.
The missing person, Erik Foote, has not been located despite community efforts to find him. The Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation, as Washburn is currently without a police department. The town is considering whether to keep a police department after the retirement of the police chief and the resignation of Sgt. Cole.
This case has left the small community of 1,500 people on edge, with many residents joining search parties to locate Foote. The town manager, Donna Turner, mentioned that the Sheriff’s Office is temporarily providing coverage in Washburn. The investigation into Cole’s actions continues as the search for Erik Foote persists.