BANGOR, Maine — A Medway man is facing a long list of charges after an alleged assault on his pregnant girlfriend last week, according to officials.
Matthew Pelkey, 31, made his initial appearance in a Bangor courtroom on Monday to face charges of aggravated assault, domestic violence assault, domestic violence criminal threatening and criminal restraint.
Pelkey’s bail was set at $10,000 surety or $5,000 cash.
According to a court affidavit filed by Medway Police Chief Cameron McDunnah, Pelkey had left a residence around 3 p.m. on Nov. 26 “to go somewhere for the night,” and the victim went next door to relax with her daughter about a half hour later. The victim’s daughter is from a previous relationship and she is currently pregnant with Pelkey’s child, according to the documents.
Around 4 p.m., the victim decided to go back home, but Pelkey had returned and locked the victim and her daughter, who only had pajamas, boots and a jacket on, out of the house, in a snowstorm. He eventually let them in and subsequently barricaded himself in his bedroom and shut the electricity off.
The woman demanded the power be turned back on as she wanted to give her daughter dinner, upon which Pelkey allegedly stated “that wasn’t his problem,” according to the court documents. As the victim began emptying the refrigerator to store foot outside, Pelkey turned the electricity back on, came out from the bedroom and grabbed the victim, trying to move her way from the kitchen appliance.
After the victim shoved him away, Pelkey grabbed the victim’s hand and began twisting her fingers, upon which the victim started screaming for help, banging on the door, according to the affidavit, but Pelkey was holding the door shut. Pelkey also allegedly made a phone call to his mother “because [the victim] was screaming for help,” and stated he was going to kill the victim.
After hanging up the phone, Pelkey grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands, lifting her off the ground and pushed her head into a trash can before trying to bash her face against a wall. The victim spent the night at the residence before Pelkey allowed her to go to a nearby convenience store on Thanksgiving Day with her daughter to buy cigarettes.
On Thanksgiving Day shortly after noon, the victim’s mother contacted police on the victim’s behalf, according to the court documents. It was then police learned that the victim had left the residence to call her mother as Pelkey would not let her use the phone at the residence for any reason.
After questioning both parties, McDunnah placed Pelkey under arrest and learned he is on bail on a Endangering the Welfare of a Child charge out of Androscoggin County. He was transported to Penobscot County Jail.
Pelkey’s bail also prohibits him from having any contact with the victim or from being at her residence, and not to use or possess alcohol and to submit to random searches and tests.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TRS 800-787-3224. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
