Mars Hill Man Tasered, Charged With Resisting Arrest

An Aroostook County Sheriff's Deputy used a Taser to subdue a convicted drug dealer during a confrontation over the weekend in Mars Hill.

Early Sunday evening, Sgt. Matt Cummings went to a residence on Silver Street in Mars Hill to arrest a woman on an outstanding warrant.  According to Sheriff Darrell Crandall, when the deputy arrived, he learned the woman was not at the home, but 37-year-old Aaron Jones was there.  Jones is on bail for trafficking bath salts and conditions of his bail require him to allow law enforcement to search him for drugs at any time.

Sheriff Crandall said the deputy was concerned that Jones might have drugs because he was "acting strange." When the man refused to be searched, Sgt. Cummings told him he was under arrest for violating his bail conditions.

Jones allegedly resisted arrest and a physical altercation ensued with the deputy. Jones, who is 6’2" and 240 pounds, was eventually subdued with a Taser.  Neither Sgt. Cummings nor Jones was seriously injured in the scuffle, Crandall said.

Jones is charged with violation of conditions of release, refusing to submit to arrest and assault.  Evidence of drug possession was seized from Jones, Crandall said, and additional charges may follow pending laboratory analysis of that evidence.

He remains at the Aroostook County Jail, and is scheduled to appear in Presque Isle District Court on April 8.