BELFAST, Maine — Police arrested a 64-year-old man Tuesday night on multiple sexual assault charges after receiving a report that a 6-year-old girl may have been sexually abused.
Zebedee Thompson, who lives on Patterson Hill Road in Belfast, was arrested after a brief police investigation, according to Chief Mike McFadden of the Belfast Police Department. He said that Waldo County General Hospital staff contacted police earlier that evening to say there were indications the child may have been abused.
Thompson so far has been charged with six counts of gross sexual assault, a Class A crime, with more charges anticipated, McFadden said.
“The little girl is safe. All the appropriate services have been called to tend to any needs that she may have,” he said. “It was one of the bad ones, but fortunately, the investigation went very smoothly.”
He did not comment on any relationship between Thompson and the victim.
Thompson was taken to Waldo County Jail in Belfast to be booked and then transferred to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. Officials said they expected him to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon, at which time a judge would decide whether to set bail, and if so, what amount.
If convicted of the Class A crimes, Thompson faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.