BRUNSWICK, Maine — A 21-year-old Brunswick man faces 75 counts of unlawful sexual contact with a minor, and disseminating and possessing sexually explicit material.
After his indictment by a grand jury, the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department arrested Edward Bernier, 21, at his 51 Cushing St. residence at 1:10 p.m. Friday.
Bernier pleaded not guilty to all charges during a video arraignment Monday before Judge Patricia Worth in Waldo County Court. Bail was set at $10,000 cash or $50,000 surety.
Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Brett Strout said police received a complaint April 27 into events that allegedly took place in November 2011 involving a child younger than 12.
As a result of an investigation by Detective Dan Reed, Strout said a computer belonging to Bernier was seized and evaluated by Maine State Police. The evaluation and Reed’s investigation led to a grand jury indictment of Bernier on 75 counts:
• 31 counts of possession of explicit material of a minor younger than 12.
• 19 counts of possession of sexually explicit material.
• 16 counts of dissemination of sexually explicit material.
• Nine counts of unlawful sexual contact.
After his arrest, Bernier was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.
Bail conditions include stipulations that Bernier have no direct or indirect contact with the victim. He is not to enter the residence, place of employment or education of the victim. He is not to possess a computer or use a computer or pornographic material, and must submit to a search at anytime. He also is not to have contact with children younger than 16.
The cash bail may be reviewed at Bernier’s lawyer’s request. Bernier is not to leave the state of Maine without the advance written permission of the court.
Bernier is next scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 3, 2013.
A message left with Bernier’s attorney was not returned.
75 counts ?? That will be good enough for what , 2 years in jail here in Maine ?? But we will put him on that list…That will teach him …(sarcasm intended)
Probably time served.
75 counts and he is out on bail until jan 2013 WTF!!!!
$100 bail?
There is no penalty severe enough for people who harm children. Their victims serve lifetime sentences.
Here comes another suspended sentence and an addition to the perv list.
Why can’t we see these pervs beat up in their mug shots?
He should probably do himself a favor and take a dive before he takes the trip down state. Can’t stay in Seg/PC forever and someone is always watching. Audios.
We all know that he will get 15 years with all but 2 suspended. Welcome to Maine!
just another example of why we need to lock up these sick pigs but i doubt he will be since maine has pathetic laws in protecting the young and innocent and he will be back prowling for those young and innocent victims once he is given the opportunity.
Using the logic from people who didn’t think the Zumba list should have been made public, we shouldn’t have released the name, age or address of Edward Bernier, 21, 51 Cushing St., Brunswick. Right?
Rope, Tree. Pic-nic lunch.
Hang him
Give him at least 1 year for every incident to be served in CONSECUTIVE terms not CONCURRENT with no time for good behavior. That will make him 96 if he lives that long.
You hear that Judges CONSECUTIVE not CONCURRENT!!!!!!!!!!!!
People like him need to be castrated then shot dead. The children need us to get rid of these type of people.
If convicted, when he gets out (and that won’t be long), he’ll probably move to Bangor, the Sex Offender Capital of Maine, courtesy of your Bangor City Council!
I don’t understand… last week a man from Sanford was sentenced to 28 years for having child porn on his computer. Yet, this is the second case this week where a “man” was charged with having sex with an underaged person and the sentence will be much lighter. What is the more serious crime? Looking at sexual materials or physical abuse of a minor?
Something about that look on his face is creepy, like maybe he’d get all glassy-eyed and dazed- looking if he held onto a small mammal for a bit. Hateful, too, likely to become mean or violent… Just an observation.