NOBLEBORO, Maine — A Nobleboro man allegedly punched a woman in the mouth and strangled her after he became upset about the food stamp program balance on her electronic benefit card the night of Aug. 28.
Theodore E. Poland, 46, was arrested Aug. 29 for aggravated assault, a Class B felony, according to court documents.
A temporary protection-from-abuse order for the alleged victim has also been issued against Poland. Under oath, the woman alleged Poland has assaulted her many times, according to court documents.
According to an affidavit by Deputy Ryan Chubbuck of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, an argument started between Poland and the woman after Poland “was upset because of the balance on her food stamp card and there was no money left over to buy dinner.”
When the woman stretched out on a bed, Poland allegedly “jumped on top of her and punched her in the mouth with a closed fist,” according to the affidavit.
The woman said “she tried to fight him off but Mr. Poland held her down and placed both hands around her neck and strangled her to the point that she couldn’t [breathe],” Chubbuck wrote.
The woman was allegedly able to get away after kicking Poland in the throat. Poland allegedly told her not to call the police, according to the affidavit.
Chubbuck wrote he could see a cut on the woman’s lip when he interviewed her later that night.
A call to Poland for comment was not immediately returned.
Bail was set for Poland at $10,000 cash or $25,000 real estate. He was subsequently released from Two Bridge Regional Jail. Bail conditions include no contact with the alleged victim.
Poland is scheduled to appear in Lincoln County Superior Court on Oct. 30 at 8:30 a.m.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.