PARSONSFIELD — A series of threatening text messages escalated into a potentially violent confrontation Wednesday afternoon in a remote section of Parsonsfield.

Deputies from the York County Sheriff’s Department broke up the confrontation, arresting 48-year-old William Foster Jr. of Parsonsfield, who was later charged with terrorizing with a firearm – a Class C crime.

Major William L. King Jr. said the incident began earlier in the day with Foster and 32-year-old Paul Warner of Parsonsfield exchanging “threatening” text messages over what King described as a personal dispute.

Police were tipped off by Warner’s girlfriend, 32-year-old Audrey Walsh of Parsonsfield, that the men had decided to settle their differences in an area off the Long Pond Road in Parsonsfield.

When deputies arrived, they found Warner and Walsh engaged in a heated shouting match with Foster, 20-year-old Chad Anthony of Parsonsfield, and a juvenile. The juvenile was seen threatening Warner with a stick.

Deputies, with assistance from the Maine Warden’s Service, broke up the fight and arrested Foster, who police allege brought a Marlin 336 rifle – a .32-caliber rifle with an attached scope – to the confrontation.

King said investigators determined that Foster brought the weapon to the scene in anticipation of a fight. Foster is being held at the York County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.

The juvenile was issued a summons for criminal threatening.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.