FARMINGTON – One of two men accused of attempting to force two female juveniles to have sex with them near Prescott Field was arrested on a warrant Saturday.
Shawn Burnell, 21, of Phillips, was arrested on a warrant by Farmington Police Department Officer Derrick Doucette on July 26 and charged with unlawful sexual contact, criminal restraint and criminal threatening, all felonies. According to Deputy Chief Shane Cote, an arrest warrant has also been issued for an 18-year-old male suspect.
The charges stem from an incident that allegedly occurred on July 20. According to Cote, police were contacted by the parent of one of two juvenile females, ages 14 and 16, who reported that two individuals attempted to force them to drink alcohol and have sex with them near the Sandy River.
Farmington Police Officer Darin Gilbert was contacted by dispatch at approximately 5:52 p.m. that evening was told that the parent had one of the two alleged suspects “cornered” near the Snack Shack, adjacent the Narrow Gauge Cinemas. As police arrived, the suspect fled into the woods.
According to the arrest affidavit, interviews conducted by Gilbert and other FPD personnel that evening and the next day indicated that the two female juveniles met some other individuals at McDonald’s before walking to the old railway trestle, located between the Sandy River and Prescott Field. There they encountered Burnell and an 18-year-old suspect, who reportedly had alcohol.
One of the two juvenile females told Gilbert in an interview conducted the next day that Burnell poured alcohol into her mouth while the other suspect held her from behind. At one point, Burnell allegedly took her by the wrist and pulled her into the woods. She told Gilbert that she was able to escape once, using a tree for leverage, but was tackled by Burnell and hit in the face when she attempted to call for help.
Burnell then pulled her onto a beach at the Sandy River and engaged in alleged sexual touching. The juvenile was able to escape a second time but was again seized by Burnell and held down. At that point, the affidavit indicates, the juvenile reported that Burnell flipped open a knife, waved it in her face and set it down beside her.
Following two other escape attempts, the juvenile told police, both she and the other female juvenile were able to leave and return to McDonald’s, where they contacted their families. According to the affidavit, the juvenile had physical injuries that included a swollen cheek, where she had allegedly been struck, marks on her wrist, abrasions to her inner thighs and a sprained left ankle.
After conducting the interviews, Gilbert issued arrest warrants for Burnell and an 18-year-old male police have not publicly named as of yet. Burnell was located and arrested without incident six days later, by Doucette.
The criminal restraint charge stems from Burnell allegedly preventing a juvenile from leaving, Cote said, while the criminal threatening charge resulted due to the Phillips man allegedly producing a knife. Both are Class C felonies. The unlawful sexual contact charge, a Class B felony, alleges unwanted sexual touching which occurred throughout Burnell’s alleged contact with the juvenile victim. Burnell also faces a civil violation, illegal possession of liquor by a minor.
Appearing in Franklin County District Court Monday morning, Burnell sobbed throughout the proceeding, as Judge Eric Walker advised him that the state would provide an attorney, if he cannot afford one, and that no plea would be entered in his initial appearance on any of the felony charges. Burnell did enter a denial to the civil violation.
Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins asked that Burnell be held on $25,000 cash, with no third-party bail. This was granted by Walker, with the understanding that Burnell’s attorney could argue the issue of bail, once appointed. Bail conditions would also include a Maine pre-trial services contract, no use or possession of drugs, alcohol or weapons and no contact with females under the age of 18, including the alleged victims.
Burnell’s next scheduled court date is Sept. 24. Meanwhile, Cote said, the investigation is continuing as police search for the second suspect named in the arrest affidavit.
Teach them a lesson legal system! Well done FPD.
Great Job by the FPD and to the girls for going to get help. Now only if our legal system would work.
Another predator that will get a slap on the wrist and set free there is no legal system.
I give greatest respect to the parent that “had one suspect cornered”. You listened to and responded immediately to your daughter’s need. I also respect your self control in calling the police. Not sure I’d have been able to do that. You are an involved parent and a law abiding citizen. I hope your daughter gets the support and counseling needed to put this behind her. I have friends that were mistreated this way and never got past the experience.
Lauri Sibulkin