Chief David Sedgwick reports that the Georgetown Police Department, with assistance from the Danvers and Middleton Police Departments, arrested a Middleton man following a lengthy investigation.
TODD CHAMPLAIN, AGE 41, of MIDDLETON, was arrested on Friday, Oct. 31, and charged with:
- Forgery of Documents (Two Counts, Felony)
- Uttering False Writing (Two Counts, Felony)
- Larceny Over $1,200 by False Pretenses (Felony)
Through an investigation starting in August, Georgetown Police determined that CHAMPLAIN had been working under false pretenses at a property on North Street.
Police initially received several reports of large commercial activity and traffic on the property. During this time, CHAMPLAIN received a criminal complaint for seven traffic violations. In August, CHAMPLAIN was taken into custody on an unrelated warrant.
As a result of an investigation, Georgetown Police determined that CHAMPLAIN allegedly filed several documents with the town that included the falsified signature of the property owner. Through the investigation, it was also determined that CHAMPLAIN took $30,000 from the property owner and sold more than $200,000 worth of sand without reimbursing the property owner.
“I want to recognize the Georgetown Police Detectives who used their skills and experience to bring this case to a conclusion,” Chief Sedgwick said. “Thank you to the Danvers and Middleton Police Departments and the Essex County Sheriff’s Office for their support and guidance.”
CHAMPLAIN is scheduled to be arraigned in Salem District Court on Friday.