Maine Woman Subject of a Civil Rights Complaint After 2 Incidents

A woman who allegedly hit a man with a pumpkin and threatened a woman with a knife is at the center of a Civil Rights complaint.

Who is the Woman Named in the Complaint?

Andrea Ouellette, 65, of Lewiston already has criminal charges pending in relation to two incidents that spurred the complaint from Maine Attorney General Aaron Frey.

What is She Accused of Doing?

The charges and civil rights complaint center around two separate incidents in which Ouellette allegedly attacked Black residents. In November 2023, a 31-year-old Black man was outside speaking with his neighbor when Ouellette called him a racial epithet and then allegedly threw a pumpkin at his head. She then allegedly yelled at the victim, "Go back to your own country," according to the AG's office. The victim suffered a broken tooth, broken nose, a swollen face, and required surgery after the assault.

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Then, in a separate incident, Ouellette allegedly confronted a 48-year-old Black woman in January after the woman parked her car near Ouellette's home. Officials say Ouellette allegedly began yelling at the woman, telling her that she couldn't park there. She allegedly approached the victim with a knife, screaming racial epithets, and telling her to "Go back to your country or I will (expletive) kill you!" according to AG Frey's office.

Is There a Penalty Attached to a Maine Civil Rights Complaint?

The Attorney General's complaint under the Civil Rights Act requests a civil injunction prohibiting Ouellette from having any contact with the victims or their families. In addition, it would prohibit her from violating the Maine Civil Rights Act in the future. Attorney General Frey says he will do what he can to stop racist threats and violence.

Maine should be a place where everyone, no matter what race, feels safe to live and thrive.

A knowing violation of an order issued under the Civil Rights Act is a class D crime punishable by up to 364 days in jail and a $2,000 fine.