Maine man who was no-show for sentencing found in Phillips, arrested by US Marshals

The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) announced Wednesday that its Maine Violent Offender Task Force found and arrested a man who failed to appear for his sentencing.Albert Deschaine, 37, of Peru, had been convicted of manslaughter, reckless conduct and operation of a defective vehicle in connection with a fatal crash that happened in October 2024, according to the USMS.A warrant was issued for Deschaine's arrest after he failed to appear in Androscoggin County Superior Court for sentencing, and the Auburn Police Department requested assistance from the USMS Maine Violent Offender Task Force.Through investigative leads, Task Force members determined Deschaine had remained in Maine and was believed to have fled to the Phillips area.On Wednesday, Task Force members executed an arrest operation at a Phillips home and located Deschaine in a camper on the property. Deschaine was apprehended and taken into custody without incident.Details of the crashThe Auburn Police Department said the crash happened the morning of Oct. 7, 2024, on the section of Turner Road (Route 4) between East Waterman Road and the Turner town line.Police said Deschaine was driving north on Route 4 in a 2007 Chevrolet pickup truck that hydroplaned and crossed the center line into the path of oncoming traffic. The truck then collided with a 2022 Toyota RAV4 that was traveling south on Route 4.The driver of the RAV4, James Halliday, was initially transported to Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) in Lewiston but was transferred to Maine Medical Center in Portland. Halliday, 78, of Auburn, was in critical condition and ultimately died of his injuries on Oct. 20, 2024, according to police.Deschaine was ejected from his truck as a result of the impact. He was transported to CMMC, where he was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries, police said.On March 4, 2025, Deschaine was indicted by an Androscoggin County grand jury and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Police said Deschaine was taken into custody on March 11, 2025, and he was released on $3,000 bail.More about the Task ForceThe Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of personnel from the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Department of Corrections, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Maine National Guard Counterdrug Task Force.The USMS said anyone who has information regarding the whereabouts of a state or federal fugitive is encouraged to send an email to [email protected].