A Madawaska man is accused of sexually abusing a minor.
Derek Beaulieu was charged with sexual abuse of a minor on Jan. 17 following a joint investigation between the Madawaska Police Department’s Lt. Jamie Pelletier and Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office Detective Corey Saucier.
Madawaska police learned of alleged inappropriate private messages between Beaulieu and a 14-year-old female in Caribou, after the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children flagged the messages as suspicious, Pelletier said.
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After determining that Beaulieu had arranged a meeting with the victim, on Jan. 3, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children notified the Caribou Police Department of the messages, since the minor resided in Caribou.
Pelletier said Beaulieu met with the victim and a sex act occurred.
However, because the alleged offender lives in Madawaska, Pelletier said Madawaska police received the case and, due to jurisdiction details, enlisted Saucier’s assistance.
Saucier arrested Beaulieu, who made bail and will appear Thursday at Caribou District Court.