BELFAST, Maine — A Thorndike man pleaded guilty earlier this month to separate domestic violence-related crimes against two different women.
Benjamin Ard, 30, came to police attention in April when a woman called police to report that Ard had been harassing her through text messages and phone calls. Although officers told him to stop sending harassing messages on April 19, later that day he called the woman and threatened to burn her house down, according to an affidavit in support of his arrest that was filed at Waldo County District Court.
The woman told police that Ard was very unpredictable and that she was scared to sleep at night for fear he would try to burn the house down, according to the affidavit from a Waldo County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Ard was arrested April 20 and charged with domestic violence terrorizing, but he later was released from jail on $1,000 cash bail, with conditions that included having no contact with the woman and no possession of flammable devices.
Then Ard’s bail was revoked in early August after police responded to another emergency call from a different woman who said that he had assaulted her at their home in Thorndike, according to court documents. She told police that he had grabbed her by the throat, thrown her onto the ground and kicked her in the shins, and when she tried to leave he tried to take her keys away from her. This time, Ard was arrested by Maine State Trooper Ben Sweeney and charged with domestic violence assault and violating the conditions of release from a prior charge.
On Tuesday, Sept. 15, he pleaded guilty to all charges, according to the Waldo County criminal court docket. He was sentenced to serve seven months in jail on the charge of terrorizing and five months in jail, to be served concurrently, on the charges of violating conditions of release and domestic violence assault.
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.