DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — A 69-year-old Parkman man pleaded not guilty Monday at the Piscataquis County Courthouse to seven sex charges, according to the district attorney’s office.
David Russell is accused of bribing children attending his wife’s home day care center with candy and gum last year so they would expose themselves to him, according to a previously published report. The day care is no longer in operation.
Russell was indicted last month by the Piscataquis County grand jury on seven charges of visual sexual aggression against a child. Six of the charges are Class C felonies because the alleged victims are between the ages of 4 and 12. The other is a Class D misdemeanor because that alleged victim is between 12 and 14.
Russell remains free on $2,500 cash bail.
He is next due in court March 21, according to the district attorney’s office.
If convicted, Russell faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000 on the six counts involving the children under the age of 12. He faces up to a year in prison and a fine of up to $2,000 if convicted on the count involving the child under the age of 14.
To reach a sexual assault advocate, call the Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line at 800-871-7741, TTY 888-458-5599. This free and confidential 24-hour service is accessible from anywhere in Maine. Calls are automatically routed to the closest sexual violence service provider.