ROCKLAND, Maine — A 45-year-old Rockport man was sentenced Thursday to serve 14 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a young girl.
Justice Jeffrey Hjelm sentenced Erik L. Vultee to 22 years in prison with all but 14 years suspended and ordered him to serve probation for 14 years upon his release. The maximum prison sentence could have been 30 years.
Hjelm said the repeated exploitation of the child and Vultee’s refusal to take responsibility for his crimes called for the length of the sentence he imposed.
Vultee was convicted June 18 of 10 counts of unlawful sexual contact, as well as single counts of attempted gross sexual assault, visual aggression against a child, sexual misconduct with a child and unlawful sexual touching.
District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau had recommended a 22-year sentence with all but 12 years suspended, pointing out that Vultee committed the crimes against a girl put in his care starting when she was 8 years old and continuing for two years.
The impact on the girl was significant, the prosecutor said, referring to the girl cutting herself before she disclosed the abuse. Rushlau said, however, that the girl was a courageous young woman who he expects will be able to rise above what has happened to her.
Vultee maintained his innocence at the sentencing hearing.
“I did nothing wrong. I am innocent of these charges,” Vultee said.
Defense attorney Steven Peterson sought a shorter sentence of no more than three years for his client. He made reference to numerous letters from friends and family members who pointed out that Vultee, a lobsterman, is a hardworking man who supports his family and who cared for his father in the final year of his life.
One half of the courtroom was filled with about 25 people supporting Vultee.
Rushlau made note of that support but said those people know the public face of Vultee and not the private side of him that jurors were shown during the trial.
Before the sentencing hearing was held in Knox County Superior Court, Hjelm rejected a defense request for a new trial. Peterson argued that his client did not get a fair trial because the victim’s mother made gestures and facial expressions while he was giving his closing argument.
During the trial, testimony showed that the offenses occurred from 2009 through 2011 at Vultee’s home, where Vultee was watching the child for the girl’s mother. The girl, who was 8 when she said the assaults started, reported the abuse in 2012 to a family friend.
On Thursday, Hjelm also rejected the defense’s request for Vultee to be released on bail until an appeal could be heard or at least for long enough to have time to bring his lobster traps in from the waters.
To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.