Alleged gun theft, false statement leads to two charges

Thu, 08/27/2015 - 6:15pm

A Waldoboro woman is facing felony charges after she allegedly stole guns from a family member then lied to police about the incident.

Dezarae McPhee, 21, of Waldoboro was arrested Aug. 21 by Waldoboro Police Officer Larry Hesseltine and originally charged with felony burglary, however, after the first interview, an additional charge of unsworn falsification was added.

According to the arrest documents McPhee allegedly started stealing guns from a family member's gun cabinet in Waldoboro.

The thefts allegedly occurred until June 12, according to Hesseltine's report. McPhee is further alleged to have taken the guns to a Waldoboro trading company or pawn shop for money. The thefts were eventually reported by the family member on Aug. 20 and Hesseltine spoke with McPhee.

On Aug. 20 McPhee filled out a statement for the Waldoboro Police in which she allegedly wrote that she and a man had started hanging around and “digging.” McPhee also allegedly wrote that she and the man, whose name is being withheld, would give her guns to take to the pawn shop to sell. In that first written statement, McPhee allegedly wrote that she did it several times, and each time she would give the man the money.

She allegedly wrote that she only did it because she was afraid of the man, and that she was told numerous times not to say anything.

It was revealed through Hesseltine's investigation that the story didn't reportedly hold up and that McPhee allegedly stole 12 guns on seven different occasions. McPhee allegedly wrote a letter purporting to have written a false statement when she said she went to the pawn shop at the behest of the man.

She was arrested and charged with a pair of crimes.

McPhee was charged with Class B theft by unauthorized taking for the alleged theft of the guns and Class D unsworn falsification for the alleged false statement.

McPhee could face prison time, as Class B crimes are classified as felonies and are punishable by up to 10 years in prison and up to a $20,000 fine. Class D crimes are misdemeanors and are punishable by up to 364 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine.

McPhee was held on $500 cash bail at Two Bridges Regional Jail and will have a dispositional conference Nov. 9 at 8:30 a.m. at the Lincoln County court house in Wiscasset. She was ordered to have no contact with the victim and is court-ordered to stay away from the victim's house.