A New York man arrested last month after he allegedly kept a woman captive and sexually assaulted her at an Ellsworth resort was indicted Thursday by a Hancock County grand jury.
Michael J. Palmatier, 62, of Sidney, New York, was arrested Jan. 8 after Ellsworth police were called to Acadia Village Resort off Downeast Highway. A worker at the property contacted police after a 64-year-old woman said she was being held against her will, Ellsworth police said at the time.
Responding officers saw physical signs that the woman, who was using a wheelchair because of a recent surgery, had been physically assaulted. Palmatier also is accused of sexually assaulting the woman — who also is a Sidney, New York, resident — and of preventing her from telephoning for help or leaving, police said.
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Palmatier was indicted Thursday on felony charges of kidnapping, gross sexual assault and aggravated assault, and on misdemeanor charges of terrorizing, obstructing the reporting of a crime and violation of a protective order.
He was still being held Friday at Hancock County Jail on $100,000 cash bail, according to a jail official.
If Palmatier is convicted of kidnapping and gross sexual assault, he could face up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine on each charge. The aggravated assault charge, with a conviction, is punishable by a sentence of up to 10 years and a $20,000 fine.
If you or someone you know needs resources or support related to sexual violence, contact the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s 24/7 hotline at 800-871-7741.
