Thomas J. Proia, 40, who has been held at York County Jail since his arrest on Oct. 19, has elected a trial by judge, according to information on file at York County Superior Court.
He is accused of endangering the lives of others by shooting a gun inside and outside his home at 280 Sanford Road (Route 202), as well as several other charges including drug trafficking and resisting arrest.
When Maine State Police, York County Sheriff ’s Office and Sanford Police responded to a 911 call around 7:15 p.m. Oct. 19, they found a young girl standing on the side of busy Route 202 waiting for help, according to Maine State Police Lt. Bill Ross.
At a news conference the day after Proia’s arrest, Ross said officers took the girl, a relative of Proia, away to a safe location, contacted the Department of Health and Human Services, and proceeded to look for Proia.
No one was injured as a result of the shooting incident, but police alleged that Proia then went to an adjacent home at 260 Sanford Road and threw a rock through a window, injuring a resident inside.
Police located Proia in the area shortly after. He was unarmed at that point, but was uncooperative with police, and a deputy used a stun gun to subdue him, Ross said.
A search warrant at Proia home’s turned up more than 10 firearms and evidence of drugs.
Ross said the incident was a “huge concern” for the public’s safety, given the allegation that the gun was fired inside the home with the girl present, and outside where there were neighbors.
Proia’s case will be heard by York County Superior Court Justice Wayne Douglas. Two days have been set aside for the trial.
Proia was originally charged with domestic violence reckless conduct and aggravated assault, but the number of charges expanded as the investigation continued.
According to court documents, Proia is now charged with domestic violence reckless conduct, aggravated assault, two counts of gross sexual assault, reckless conduct, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs, domestic violence assault, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal mischief and refusal to submit to arrest.
— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].
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