BELFAST, Maine — The Waldo County grand jury indicted four men this month on charges of gross sexual assault, including an Aroostook County man accused of sexually abusing a child.
Richard D. Grey, 28, of Ashland is charged with Class A gross sexual assault in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred last February in the Waldo County town of Belmont.
According to an affidavit in support of his arrest written by Maine State Police Detective Hugh Landry on Sept. 11, 2015, Grey was baby-sitting for a Waldo County woman last winter when the assault happened. Landry and a caseworker from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services spoke with the girl last summer after police got a referral from the department in regard to a possible sexual assault case.
The child told them that she woke up from a nap when Grey pulled down her pants and assaulted her, Landry wrote.
When police spoke with Grey about the charge, he denied it, saying that he had put the children to bed and was watching porn on a big-screen television and masturbating when the girl came out of her room and watched him.
Grey was arrested and charged with Class A gross sexual assault against a child who had not yet attained the age of 12. This charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Arthur E. Williams, 23, of Brooks also was indicted by the grand jury on sexual assault charges. Williams, who pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment at Belfast District Court on Tuesday, is accused of beating and sexually assaulting a woman in November.
According to a Maine State Police report written on Nov. 29, 2015, by Trooper Benjamin Sweeney, police were called after the woman went to Inland Hospital in Waterville that day. Sweeney was told by hospital staff that the woman suffered significant bruises.
The woman told the trooper that among other things on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, Williams struck her with a stick and held her down with one hand on her neck until her lips turned blue and her vision was impaired.
During Tuesday’s arraignment, Waldo County Assistant District Attorney Neil McLean said that the woman “was basically held” by Williams for three days before she was able to leave and seek medical attention.
Williams was indicted on counts of Class A gross sexual assault, aggravated assault and domestic violence assault. He is being held on $15,000 cash bail, with bail conditions that include having no contact with the victim or her mother.
Lisa Whittier, Williams’ appointed defense attorney, argued for bail to be lowered to $20,000 surety.
“Effectively he’s been held without bail,” she told Judge Evert Fowle, adding that she hadn’t seen the full police report yet. “I have only a one-page affidavit. I am unable to confirm in any way that she was held for three days.”
McLean told Fowle and Whittier that state police had not yet released the full police report.
Fowle did not change bail conditions on Tuesday, but said that when Whittier receives the full discovery she may return to the court to ask again.
Also indicted by the grand jury were:
Robert Rosebush, 46, Winterport, Class A gross sexual assault against a child who has not yet attained the age of 12, tampering with a victim.
Tyler Redman, 20, Swanville, Class A gross sexual assault against a child who has not yet attained the age of 14.
Austin Wayne Ashmore, 18, Orland, eluding an officer, criminal speed, driving to endanger, failure to stop for an officer, violation of conditions of release.
Scott R. Chapman, 44, Norton, Massachusetts, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, theft by unauthorized taking, criminal mischief, refusing to submit to arrest, terrorizing, assault.
Sarah C. Double, 25, Bangor, burglary, theft by unauthorized taking, criminal mischief.
Shawn M. Gantnier, 27, Belfast, criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence assault, endangering the welfare of a child.
Paul F. Hustus II, 22, Troy, aggravated assault.
Paul J. Jean, 50, Belfast, operating after revocation.
Brandon H. Ricker, 37, Jackson, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, receiving stolen property, violation of conditions of release.
Richard Herbert Rosenberg, 84, Lincolnville, two counts unlawful trafficking of oxycodone and hydrocodone, aggravated trafficking in hydrocodone.
Renee M. Lewis, 43, Brooks, unlawful trafficking of oxycodone.
Tyson Servisky, 27, Brooks, burglary, theft by unauthorized taking, criminal mischief, violation of conditions of release.