WEST PARIS, Maine — The Oxford County Sheriff's Office and U.S. Marshal's Office are searching for a fugitive accused of injuring a deputy while he tried to arrest him.
There is an active warrant out for Kevin Litchfield Jr., 37, of West Paris, from the U.S. Marshals Office for a probation violation stemming from drug charges. Litchfield is also on federal probation and two sets of bail conditions, according to a press release by the Oxford County Sheriff's Office.
Oxford County Sheriff's Deputy Andre Chasse received information that Litchfield was in the area on Friday at 9:15 p.m. Deputy Chasse spotted Litchfield's vehicle parked at the Rusty Lantern on Route 26 in West Paris, the press release stated.
Deputy Chasse approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Litchfield. He allegedly refused orders to get out of the vehicle, which resulted in a physical confrontation.
At one point during the confrontation, Litchfield shifted the vehicle into gear and drove forward into a nearby field, according to the sheriff's office. "Deputy Chasse was dragged alongside the vehicle before falling off the driver's side nearly being run over," the press release stated.
Litchfield was allegedly able to speed away, heading north on Route 26. His car was later found abandoned on Fuller Hill Road in Woodstock. The sheriff's office K9 team tried to track Litchfield but was not successful, according to the press release.
There was a woman inside the vehicle with Litchfield, who deputies have identified. They are still working to determine what role she may have played in the incident, deputies said.
Deputy Chasse was taken to Stephens Memorial Hospital in Norway where he was treated and released. "He suffered abrasions to his face and head along with other minor bruises and contusions," the press release said.
Litchfield is now also facing charges of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon, assaulting a police officer, driving to endanger, refusing to submit to arrest, and violation of conditions of release.
Anyone who knows where Litchfield is should call the Oxford County Sheriff's Office at 207-743-9554.