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Camping Trip Ends Abruptly for Two Maine Fugitives

For immediate release

Theodor G. Short, United States Marshal

District of Maine
(207) 780-3355

Portland, ME The U.S. Marshals Service (USMS), Maine Violent Offender Task Force and Oxford County Sheriff's Office announces the arrest of Neil Roy Canney, 52, and Selena Canney, 49, in Carter County, TN. Both individuals were sought by Maine authorities and were considered armed and dangerous. The criminal duo are accused of assaulting a 67-year-old Buckfield man after breaking into his home in the early morning hours of July 27th, where the victim suffered stab wounds to his chest and blunt force trauma.

According to Investigators, Neil and Selena Canney, allegedly entered the victim’s home in the early hours and forced him to other parts of the house at gunpoint. While inside the residence, the victim was both beaten with a handgun and stabbed. The victim escaped to a neighbor's house and called police.

The U.S. Marshals were asked to join this investigation shortly after the incident and developed information that the suspects were believed to be hiding out in the vicinity of Hampton, TN. The U.S. Marshals were able to coordinate and share this information with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Carter County TN Sheriff's Office.

According to the Carter County TN Sheriff's Office, Deputies located the suspects' vehicle early this morning on a road near a local trail. At that time, Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office located a tent a few hundred yards onto the trail where it was believed Selena and Neil Canney were sleeping inside. Both Selena and Neil Canney were taken into custody without incident. Two firearms were also recovered.

Selena Canney is charged as a fugitive from justice. Neil Canney is also being charged as a fugitive from Justice and as a convicted felon in possession of a firearm according to Carter County affidavits. Both suspects will appear in TN State Court pending their extradition back to Maine to answer to the Maine charges.

The United States Marshals Service Maine Violent Offender Task Force was assisted by the Maine Oxford County's Sheriff's Office, Maine State Police, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Carter County Tennessee Sheriff's Office.

The U.S. Marshals Service Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the Maine State Police, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at https://www.usmarshals.gov.

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