BELFAST, Maine — A 50-year-old Owls Head man will receive a totally suspended jail term if he adheres to an agreement with the state for his actions during an armed standoff in Northport.
Under terms of a deferred disposition approved by a judge with Thatcher Silar during a hearing earlier this month in the Waldo County court, Silar pleaded guilty to reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon. A charge of aggravated reckless conduct with a firearm and a domestic violence assault charge were dismissed as part of the agreement.
Conditions of the agreement include refraining from criminal activity during the next year, abstaining from alcohol and illegal drugs and not possessing firearms. Silar consented to random searches to make sure he is not violating those conditions. He cannot contact the victim, and must complete a batterer’s intervention program.
If he meets those conditions, he will get a three year jail sentence — all suspended — and two years of probation. If he violates any of those terms, he would be sentenced to three years with all but nine months suspended, followed by two years of probation. He must continue to meet the conditions during probation.
Assistant District Attorney Matthew Theall said Silar voluntarily entered a substance abuse and mental health rehabilitation program after his arrest. The prosecutor said Silar had no criminal record for violence in the past 20 years. About 20 years ago, he had a misdemeanor assault.
The incident occurred March 21 in Northport when the Waldo County Communications Center received a 911 call from a female reporting a domestic violence situation that she fled the residence in Northport.
Members of the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence and met with the female at a safe location and obtained her statement. Officers also documented the injuries she suffered during the assault. At that time officers determined the individual who had assaulted the woman remained inside the home.
Responding officers, including a Maine State Police trooper, attempted to contact the male inside the home, now identified as Silar.
Attempts to contact Silar by phone were unsuccessful and he began shooting a firearm from within the building, police said at the time of his arrest.
Several rounds were fired out through the front door in the direction of the officers, and multiple shots were fired out various windows on the western side of the home. Officers began evacuating two nearby residences.
A Maine State Police crisis negotiator was able to reach Silar by phone. Silar agreed to surrender and leave the house unarmed. He was taken into police custody and taken to the Waldo County Jail in Belfast.
A search warrant was obtained and executed. Investigators from the sheriff’s office obtained evidence suggesting Silar fired off 13 rounds and seized five firearms.
Officials also utilized Maine’s Yellow Flag Law to take possession of the firearms discovered.
The prosecutor said the female victim and officers involved in the response were in support of the plea agreement.
This story appears through a media partnership with Midcoast Villager.
