On May 21, 2011, Wintle was arrested for "pointing a handgun at a man at point-blank range in a Dunkin' Donuts parking lot". 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.State rep threatens to shoot "innocent bystander" Portland Press Herald, May 21, 2011
