Three men have been charged following an ill-advised target practice session on Thompson Farm Road in Jackson Aug. 27.

Anthony Sweetland, 21, of Waldo, Jason Bates, 22, of Islesboro, and Cody J. Lewis, 20, of Freedom, have all been charged with reckless conduct with a firearm as a result of the incident.

A couple living on the road contacted the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office after discovering someone had shot into their home, according to Chief Jason Trundy.

The couple reportedly heard someone shooting guns, leading the wife to go out onto the porch to see if she could identify where the shots were coming from. While on the porch she heard a round hit her home, traveling through an exterior wall and into a bedroom where it lodged in a dresser. 

Responding Deputy Mariza Gionfriddo was able to discern where the shots originated from based on the bullet trajectory.

While on scene a neighbor of the couple came to the house after noticing the police presence. The neighbor, who was known to be having an issue with coyotes eating his livestock, reportedly said he had three acquaintances at his adjacent home shooting target practice at the time.

After Gionfriddo went to the target practice area she noted the couple’s home could clearly be seen behind the targets.

“They didn’t do their due diligence,” Trundy said of the incident. 

The case went before the Waldo District Attorney’s Office for review before charges were filed.

All three men are scheduled to appear in court Jan. 5.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com