SEARSPORT, Maine — A midcoast man with a history of domestic violence assault arrests and convictions is behind bars once again after a woman called police to say he tried to strangle her until she lost consciousness.
John Morton, 48, of Searsport was arrested on July 22 and charged with aggravated domestic violence assault, according to Searsport Police Chief Dick LaHaye. Morton was taken to Waldo County Jail to be booked and remains in police custody at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. He is under a probationary hold, which means bail cannot be set.
The chief said that two years ago, Morton was convicted of domestic violence assault after the same woman reported that he had poured gasoline on her during an argument and threatened to light her on fire. He also went into the house with a can of gas and a propane torch and threatened to “touch it off, but had a change of heart and walked back out,” LaHaye told the BDN in 2013.
In 2001, Morton pleaded guilty in York County Superior Court to felony charges of kidnapping, gross sexual assault and criminal threatening. Prosecutors said he kidnapped his wife the previous year by using a live grenade and threatening to “blow them to kingdom come,” according to the BDN archives. His defense attorney said that he bought a bag of old military equipment at a Gorham flea market and then discovered the grenade, wrapped in cloth, at the bottom of the bag.
Inder a plea deal, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison with all but seven years suspended and six years of probation.
Justice Robert Crowley said at the time that the sentence was comparatively light. If a jury had convicted Morton of all three counts, he would have faced up to 85 years in prison.
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.