FARMINGTON – The Franklin County grand jury rose Thursday afternoon, handing down an indictment against a Wilton man accused of holding a bound woman against her will for several hours.
Jason Lee Baker Sr., 45 of Wilton, was indicted on one count of kidnapping, a Class A felony; two counts of gross sexual assault, both Class B felonies; and two counts of aggravated assault, both Class B felonies. The charges relate to an incident that is alleged to have occurred on June 8.
Wilton police previously reported that their officers responded to a 9-1-1 call from a Welch Road address at approximately 6:53 p.m. on June 8, after receiving a report of an unclothed woman with bound wrists had been running down the roadway. Sgt. Chad Abbott and Officer Kevin Lemay responded.
According to an arrest affidavit filed by Abbott, the woman had fled to a neighbor’s house with her hands bound behind her back with rope and duct tape. The neighbors cut the woman free and called the police.
The woman told police that she had been struck unconscious by Baker, who then tied her hands and feet. When she woke up, the woman told police, Baker was raping her. The woman also told police that Baker had run a knife down her body. She estimated that she had been tied up for four to five hours before Baker left the residence in a vehicle. She was then able to leave the residence.
The woman was transported to Franklin Memorial Hospital via NorthStar EMS. Abbott arrested Baker on charges of gross sexual assault and aggravated assault, with the District Attorney’s Office adding the kidnapping charge on June 10.
Bail was later set at $500 cash with a Maine Pretrial Services contract, and Baker was later release. Conditions of his release include no use or possession of alcohol, dangerous weapons or illegal drugs, with random search and test for same, as well as no contact with the alleged victim.
Wilton police were assisted at the scene by Franklin County Sheriff’s Office personnel as well as members of the Maine State Police Evidence Response Team.
An indictment means that after considering the evidence the district attorney has presented, the grand jury believes there is probable cause, or a “reasonable belief” that the crime occurred.
A Class A felony carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison in Maine.
$500 cash bail,what is wrong here?
@WTF…I completely agree!
$500?!?!?!?
Agree. Her safety and the safety of the community is worth a lot more than $500.
WTF INFINITY…..This is why offenders become repeat offenders!!
Welcome to Franklin county where the guilty go free and the victims pay the price .
With bail amounts like this we are certain to attract more criminal activity. We are certainly advertising “Do your crime in Maine and get without no time”.
So this violent person is just out there walking free? That’s crazy!.