ROCKLAND, Maine — A 61-year-old former Knox County Jail guard, awaiting trial on charges that he sexually assaulted inmates, will be held without bail until that case is heard after he admitted Tuesday to violating bail conditions.
Richard S. Wellington made a brief appearance Tuesday in Knox County Superior Court before Justice Daniel Billings on the district attorney’s request to have Wellington’s bail revoked.
The motion was filed Sept. 12 after police said he threatened to shoot his wife.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Assistant District Attorney Christopher Fernald said that another charge of tampering with a victim could be filed against Wellington in relation to the domestic violence case.
Wellington was indicted in April on two counts of unlawful sexual contact and 17 counts of unlawful sexual touching in connection with alleged incidents involving three women being held at the jail. The alleged sexual assaults began in November 2012 and ended in August 2013, according to court papers.
Wellington was hired as a part-time corrections officer in April 2012 and was fired in August 2013. He had previously worked at the Maine State Prison.
While on bail for those offenses, he was arrested in September and charged by Thomaston police with domestic violence terrorizing and violating a condition of release. A police report on those charges stated that he telephoned his wife, first to say he would shoot her and then later to say he instead would shoot himself.
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.