ROCKLAND, Maine — A 31-year-old Matinicus Island man with a lengthy, violent criminal history is back behind bars after police say he beat a man outside a bar for no apparent reason.
Joshua S. Anthony remained at the Knox County Jail on Monday afternoon following his initial appearance in Rockland District Court for Class A aggravated assault.
According to an affidavit filed by Lt. Lawrence Hesseltine and Deputy James Moore of the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Anthony beat the man outside the Sand Bar on Vinalhaven on Saturday night.
The 56-year-old victim reported that he had talked with Anthony inside the bar and there was no problem until Anthony warned the man that he would kill him if he went outside the bar, the affidavit stated.
The man went to the bar owner and asked her to call police.
The man left the bar and he was grabbed by Anthony who punched him more than 10 times, the affidavit stated. The man suffered injuries to his face, head and other parts of his body. The bar owner also provided a statement to police that supported the alleged victim’s statements.
The man was treated at the Island Medical Center for his injuries.
Hesseltine located Anthony the following day hiding in a shed.
District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau said Monday in court that the $5,000 cash bail set by a bail commissioner was inadequate considering the lengthy record and violent past of Anthony. He asked Judge Susan Sparaco to set bail at $10,000 cash and she agreed, citing the factors listed by the district attorney.
Class A aggravated assault carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Rushlau listed Anthony’s convictions that date back to 2000 for burglary, 2005 for assault and burglary and numerous probation violations.
In 2010 he was convicted of aggravated assault, aggravated criminal trespass, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, and terrorizing after he entered the home of a man on Matinicus with another person and beat him because the victim’s friends had put lobster traps in the waters off Matincus.
Anthony asked for lower bail. Judge Sparaco also barred Anthony from returning to Vinalhaven.
If you’re on a small island and have “a lengthy, violent criminal history”, shouldn’t you be: A) in prison, or B) lobster bait?
b, severely soften’d bait
Thanks for reminding me of the old Tim Sample joke. C’mon, you know the one, the punch line is “I’d say set ‘er again!” I haven’t thought of that one in years…
Bert and I, NOT Tim Sample!
I’ve heard Tim tell it solo as well, so it’s filed in my head as one of his jokes. Sorry.
I assume barring him from Vinalhaven is for his own protection?
*grins* Yup!
This guy has a serious anger management problem and needs to be locked up. We cant have people like this walking amongst us in a civilized society.
I love the IRONY…..so….. ‘Class A aggravated assault carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison’ and yet in 2010 he was convicted of aggravated assault as well as aggravated criminal trespass, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, and terrorizing …….yet in 2012 he is still out walking around pummeling people…….so much for a maximum sentence of 30 years for aggravated assault……our judicial system is FUBAR not to mention a pathetic joke. I know!! Let’s wait until he kills someone and THEN maybe he will spend some actual time in prison….but I’m not going to hold my breath. Pfffffffft.
Something tells me he’ll get more probation on top of his probation for breaking another probation………………………………………………………………..
It’s time to get tough on these violent predators and do something other than handing out plea bargains and more probation time before somebody gets very seriously hurt or worse.
Ask anyone from the that Island whose not related to him what kind of person her is. The horror stories out there. I knew some are true because I knew him. He is not wanted on Vinalhaven as he has caused so much trouble.