On May 21, 2011, Wintle was arrested for "pointing a handgun at a man at point-blank range in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot".[2] He allegedly began speaking with Michael G. Seamans, a photographer with the Morning Sentinel about the recent death of a toddler at a homeless shelter in Waterville and accused Seamans of being a drug dealer. He subsequently pulled out a .22 caliber weapon from his waist and pointed it at Seamans. Wintle was then arrested for criminal threatening.[2]
Wintle was indicted on two felony charges in the Waterville incident, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon and reckless conduct, and a misdemeanor charge of carrying a concealed weapon. The two former charges were dismissed in exchange for a guilty plea on the concealed weapons charge for which he was sentenced to a year in jail, serving 45 days with the rest suspended.[3][4] Wintle stated, "I believe in America. I believe in God. I believe in my family, and I believe this is going to be all right," according to the Bangor Daily News.[5]
In September 2011, Wintle resigned from the House of Representatives.[6]
