SKOWHEGAN, Maine — A former high school music teacher was sentenced Monday in Somerset County Superior Court to 15 years in prison with all but three years suspended in connection with domestic violence assaults on a former girlfriend.
Andrew Maderios, 29, of Pittsfield also was sentenced to six years of probation that will include wearing an ankle bracelet for the first two years, according to the Somerset County district attorney’s office.
Maderios began serving his sentence immediately.
In addition, Superior Court Justice Robert Mullen ordered Maderios to undergo a psychological evaluation, counseling and complete a batterers intervention program.
“The fact that we will know where he is after he gets out of prison has given the victim a lot of peace,” Somerset County District Attorney Maeghan Maloney said after the sentencing.
The Bangor Daily News is not identifying the girlfriend because she is a victim of domestic violence.
Maderios maintained his innocence. His attorney, Leonard Sharon of Auburn, said in an email that an appeal of the conviction would be filed with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Sharon argued for a lesser sentence.
“Justice Mullen’s sentencing calculus weighed heavily on the absence of remorse,” Sharon said. “Andrew knowingly accepted the risks of going to trial and rejected a plea that would have called for a greater amount of incarceration. We were heartened by the overwhelming support at sentencing.”
Family, friends and students packed the courtroom, according to Sharon.
“It should be stressed that families of students and students alike participated in the sentencing,” Sharon said. “Indeed, one of our character witnesses testified that she had spoken to approximately 50 to 100 people who are familiar with Andrew’s reputation for being nonviolent within the school community. His reputation was impeccable.”
Sharon said Maderios hoped to be able to teach other inmates while he’s incarcerated.
Maderios was convicted earlier this month by a jury on two counts each of Class B aggravated assault because of an accusation the he tried to strangle his victim and Class D domestic violence assault. He was found not guilty on six other charges.
A former music teacher at Nokomis High School with no criminal history, Maderios was accused of multiple assaults against his girlfriend beginning in December 2013, according to a previously published report. Other assaults reportedly occurred on Jan. 25 and March 23, 2014.
He was arrested in early August upon returning from a school trip to Europe that he was chaperoning but was free on $10,000 cash bail until his sentencing. Maderios was on paid administrative leave until his conviction, the prosecutor said.
Maderios’ attorney said in an email Monday afternoon that his client no longer works for the high school.
He faced up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 on the Class B charges and up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 on the Class D charges.
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.