Wrongful Arrests of Maine Activist, Excessive Use of Force

Wrongful Arrests/Malicious Prosecution.

In the beginning of March 2025, a temporary protection from harassment order was granted automatically to the mother of my grandchildren after she alleged stalking activity. It was granted in Lincoln County by Judge John Martin.

I did not as she claimed, go to the school where my grandchildren attend. I telephoned there like I have a few times in the past, hoping to speak with the counselor regarding concerns that the paternal relatives, including my son who is incarcerated, are being alienated. Visits with my grandchildren were abruptly stopped when my son's ex moved in with her new boyfriend three and a half years ago. Prior to that the children often spent entire weekends at our place.

A hearing was scheduled for March 26, 2025 to make the protection order permanent. On March 24, I was arrested by Lewiston police, on a warrant granted by Judge Martin claiming I'd violated the order...however it's not clear to me how.

A few days prior to the arrest, four Lewiston police officers had come to my door. Tipped off by another tenant, I did not go to the door and let them in. I eventually called the police station to find out why, and was told by a woman named Connie to go to the police station and the report would be given to me. When I arrived, I discovered Connie was gone for the day, and there was no report, just two Lewiston officers who arrested me: Officer James, and Officer Jacques. My friend recorded the arrest on my phone.

The officers could not tell me the specific reason for my arrest... just that they had a warrant and were acting on it, and to call the Waldoboro police department to find out why the warrant was issued. I believe the reason for my arrest was that I made social media posts, which should be considered free speech! A bail condition reads "Not to call Miller school for any reason." I refused to sign the bail bond.

After my release I had to walk home, two miles, in 6 inches of slush; we had a snowstorm on March 24. I didn't have my phone with me, as I had given it to my friend who'd come with me to the police station. I didn't know her number or anyone else's by heart, and when I'd tried to call Pete from a business located near the jail, I couldn't reach him...he was taking a nap.

On March 26, I appeared before Judge Martin, and he granted permanent status to the protection order (for one year). That is something - as my cousin in California said -which is reserved for the most dangerous individuals. Judge Martin didn't allow me to enter character references, or drawings that my oldest grandson made before visits stopped; on one he wrote "go to my mamar, hav fun ther."

Before he was incarcerated, mediation in my son's family matters case in Lincoln County was waived because he violated a protection order by simply communicating with his ex regarding "something other than arranging visits with the children." He was frustrated because she wasn't returning our messages to arrange visits with the children. I urged him to write to the court and request specific days for visits, but he didn't do it.

On March 30, five Lewiston police officers came to my door at 10 pm and I didn't answer. Pete was not home; he was in Aroostook County at our property in Saint Agatha. They came back one hour later. Meanwhile I spoke with Officer Cote over the phone and told him I'd done nothing wrong. I recorded the conversation. I told him the warrant was based on lies and that my social media posts were free speech and were not harmful.

As police continued pounding on my door I posted a message on Facebook about what was happening. I recorded audio of the arrest on my Ipad up until the moment they breached my door. As they poured in, I closed the Ipad and got on my Iphone, which they took along with my purse. They gave back the purse, but are holding my Iphone until trial...of course claiming it is potential evidence of stalking.

I was taken to the Androscoggin jail in Auburn, and released on personal recognizance (PR) into the streets of Auburn, at 12:30 a.m. in my PJ's and with no taxi services open. Pete was in Aroostook County. I walked to a 24 hour convenience store where I asked a woman for a ride home.

The next day, I walked up and down Main Street with my Ipad and using the Find My feature pinged my phone to Chapel Alley. I went inside the building. The Resiliency Center is located on the first floor; it opened after the mass shooting in October of 2023. "What else is in this building" I asked. "Upstairs on the fourth floor is the office of the District Attorney," the woman replied. That's where my phone is. It was closing time, so I went home.

back the next day and a woman arrived there when I did. Using the keypad outside the building she spoke with the receptionist; she was there to pay a fine. I snuck in with her, but I was not given my Iphone.

When I got to my apartment, I couldn't get in. The maintenance man had repaired the door as best as he could, but the striker was stuck in the closed position. I had to sleep elsewhere that night; and because I wasn't able to do the paperwork needed in time, so that I could clean for two new elderly customers, I lost out on that work...and they didn't get the cleaning services they desperately needed.

If I had not been able to reach customers through text messages using my Ipad, my cleaning business would have suffered even more damages than it did. My husband soon drove to Lewiston and I was able to use his phone for a few days and order a new Iphone, costing $1100.

My arraignment was set for June 12 at 8:30 a.m. in Lincoln County. Pete and I were in Aroostook County, and I had been using eye drops from Walgreen which irritated the skin under my eyes; plus I got debris in my left eye from doing yardwork, and I was constantly rubbing it and putting ointment in my eye to work it out. I did not feel it was safe to drive. We expected to be back in Lewiston by June 11. It would have been a 1.5 hour drive to Wiscasset District Court from there; however, from Saint Agatha it would be about 4.5 hours.

I called the courthouse to notify them of this medical condition on June 11, but a warrant for my arrest was issued regardless. A new date has since been set for my arraignment, September 11.

Just a few days ago, I wrote to the ACLU and requested their assistance. I haven't been able to find a civil rights attorney to help me. I am also looking for help to monetize my blog:

www.DirtyDecisions.com

State of Maine v. Paula Michaud

LINCD-CR-2025-00218

Violation of protection from harassment

Violating condition of release (2)

D.A. listed as Natasha Irving

Officer: Jeremy Joslyn

State of Maine v. Paula Michaud

LINCD-CR-2025-00190

Harassment

Violation of Condition of Release

D.A. listed as Kent Murdick

Officer: Jeremy Joslyn