Freeman said he was approached by a forensic specialist working for the Maine State Police. The specialist, he said, was working with police to inventory camp equipment confiscated by police in April after Earth First! attempted a protest campout on Sears Island.

Freeman said police initially told him his DNA was wanted as part of an ongoing investigation into a broken padlock on Sears Island. Freeman said after more questions, police told him the investigation was actually related to the vandalism incidents at Plum Creek.

Police asking for DNA to investige an act of politically motivated vandalism? This kind of thing ought to be reserved for serious crimes, I think.