A sheriff’s deputy in Maine is being accused of a host of criminal offenses after an investigation was triggered by a domestic violence report involving his live-in girlfriend. The criminal charges have continued to grow with sentencing enhancements and other related offenses.
Maine Police Deputy Accused of Domestic Violence
The deputy had been on the force in Sagadahoc County since 2006 and had only faced one disciplinary proceeding in the past.
However, his live-in girlfriend told a friend that she was being abused at home and the friend reported it to the police on June 26. The Sagadahoc County Sheriff referred the issue to the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office so they wouldn’t have to investigate one of their own officers.
That investigation wrapped up on July 11 and ended with an arrest and multiple criminal charges related to a domestic violence incident. The breadth of those criminal charges and the sentencing enhancements that came with some of them showcase how quickly the criminal justice system can snowball against a defendant.
Multiple Charges Stem from a Single Altercation in Maine
While the details are still fuzzy, the sheriff deputy’s live-in girlfriend claims she was the victim of domestic violence in one altercation on June 23. This altercation allegedly happened in their home in West Bath.
According to the complainant, she was assaulted by the deputy. This led the prosecutor to file a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence assault.
However, the complainant also claimed that she was choked during the altercation. This was the grounds for an additional charge of aggravated assault.
She also said that the sheriff’s deputy hurt their dog in an attempt to get her to react. So the prosecutor added another misdemeanor charge for animal cruelty.
Sentencing Enhancements Add to the Potential Penalties of a Conviction in Maine
Worse, some of these criminal allegations involve specific details that add to the potential sentences of a conviction.
For example, the aggravated assault charge was elevated to a Class B crime – a felony – because it involved strangulation.
Both assault charges are being treated as crimes of domestic violence, which comes with a laundry list of other consequences. Among them are stringent bail conditions that include no-contact orders and forbid the deputy from using alcohol or drugs or a firearm.
The last of these repercussions, prohibiting the sheriff’s deputy from having a gun, made it impossible for the County to avoid putting the deputy on leave, pending the outcome of the case.
Maine Domestic Violence Defense Lawyers at Maine Criminal Defense Group
The criminal defense attorneys at Maine Criminal Defense Group strive to vigorously defend Mainers who have been accused of domestic violence in southern Maine, including in Portland, Saco, and Biddeford. Charges like these are notorious for spinning out of control – between sentencing enhancements and related criminal offenses, the potential jail time from the allegations can quickly double or even triple.
With the legal representation of an attorney from Maine Criminal Defense Group, you can invoke your rights and protect your interests. Call us at (207) 571-8146 or contact us online.
