BANGOR, Maine — A Brewer man sentenced in 1995 to 17 ½ years in prison for raping a 62-year-old woman he met in a local bar was convicted Friday of aggravated assault and terrorizing after a three-day jury trial at the Penobscot Judicial Center, according to Penobscot County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy and Assistant District Attorney Alice Clifford.
Edward Hewes, 50, is being held without bail pending his sentencing, which is expected to occur in late August, Clifford said Friday.
Hewes, who was represented by Ellsworth attorney Jeffrey Toothaker, faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on the Class B felony assault charge alone.
The charges stemmed from the brutal assault in March 2014 of a woman with whom Hewes was living at the time and threats he made against two police officers.
His victim, who was 51 years old at the time, was hospitalized in critical condition after the assault. She told police when interviewed at Eastern Maine Medical Center that four of her ribs were broken.
Hewes has an extensive criminal history, dating back more than four decades and includes a 1995 conviction for gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact for which he was sentenced to 17 ½ years in prison, Almy and Clifford said.
He was released April 24, 2009, according to the Maine Department of Corrections, which indicates he earned good time while incarcerated, according to a previously published report.
Other convictions were breaking arrest in 1974, disorderly conduct in 1975, receiving stolen property and robbery in 1976, criminal trespass in 1977, criminal mischief and assault in 1983, failure to appear in 1991, possession of a firearm by a felon, cruelty to animals and theft of services in 1992, refusing to sign a summons and violating bail conditions in 2011, operating under the influence and operating after revocation and failure to appear in 1995.
As a result of the 1995 conviction for sex offenses, he is required to register as a sex offender for life.
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.