FARMINGTON - Alcohol was the motivation behind the burglaries and destruction at 27 or more camps on Porter Lake last week, Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson told a judge Wednesday.

Four young men from Franklin and Androscoggin counties are facing up to 10 years in prison and a maximum $10,000 fine if convicted of the crimes in Strong and New Vineyard, he said at their arraignment in 12th District Court. The damage is expected to exceed more than $100,000, he added.

Timothy D. Lagasse, 18, of Farmington, Shane C. Sturgeon, 21, of Livermore, Zachery R. Heath, 19, of Farmington, and Dylan Couturier, 18, of Livermore Falls were arrested Monday and Tuesday.

Three 17-year-old boys from Franklin County also face charges in the case through the juvenile court system, investigators said this week.

The four men were drinking alcohol when they broke into the camps looking for more and taking it between June 16 and 17, Robinson said.

Owners started reporting damage to police on June 17, and complaints are continuing as more owners arrive at their properties for the season, investigators said.

On Wednesday, the co-defendants were separated in the courtroom with a Franklin County sheriff's deputy near each one.

The court only dealt with burglary charges Wednesday; additional charges may be brought by the grand jury in July.

All four were also charged with aggravated criminal mischief and theft when arrested. Their bail amounts, ranging from $10,000 to $15,000, were reduced to $500 to $7,500 Wednesday.

According to affidavits filed by Franklin County Sheriff's deputies, Sturgeon and Lagasse denied involvement in the camp burglaries after being implicated, but their stories and alibis were not substantiated.

Both Heath and Couturier denied involvement in the Strong burglaries but admitted involvement in the New Vineyard cases, the affidavits state.

Robinson asked for $10,000 cash bail and a pretrial service agreement along with conditions for Sturgeon, who he referred to as a "leader" in the rampage of destruction.

Sturgeon, of 104 Botka Hill Road in Livermore, is charged with 27 counts of burglary.

Robinson said Sturgeon has convictions going back to 2004 that include larceny, theft, stealing drugs and violation of conditions of release.

"Safety of the community is at issue," Robinson said.

Sturgeon's attorney, Joshua Robbins, said $10,000 bail was excessive because he doesn't have a charge of failing to appear in court.

"He would not be able to post greater than $5,000 bail and even that will take some time," Robbins said.

The attorney also said that he didn't think anyone has been alleged to be hurt other than the property damage, which Robbins said he was not trying to diminish.

"The public safety argument is being used as an excuse to keep him in jail," Robbins said.

Stanfill agreed with Robbins in part and set bail at $7,500 cash or $75,000 net worth of real estate surety and pretrial service agreement along with conditions, including no contact with co-defendants. Stanfill left alcohol and illegal drug conditions up to the pretrial agreement.

Stanfill set bail for Lagasse, of 638 Industry Road in Farmington, who is charged with 16 counts of burglary, at $500 cash bail and a pretrial service agreement that he will need to abide by. His release conditions include no use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs, submit to search and no contact with co-defendants.

Robinson said Lagasse had no prior criminal record and had been involved in 16 of the burglaries on one night with those damages estimated to be $50,000 to $60,000.

Lagasse's attorney, Curtis Rice, said his client says he was not involved in taking any alcohol and would like the alcohol condition removed.

Stanfill denied the request.

Heath, of 111 Bridge St. in West Farmington, is charged on 27 counts of burglary and one count of violation of condition of release. His bail was set at $2,000 cash or $25,000 real estate surety and pretrial service agreement. He was out on bail from a Lewiston District Court case that is believed to be a charge of disorderly conduct and violation condition of release, Robinson said.

Curtis argued for a lesser bail of $1,000 but was unsuccessful. Heath was also given orders to have no alcohol or illegal drugs and no contact with co-defendants.

Couturier, of 110 Park St. in Livermore Falls, is charged with 11 counts of burglary.

He has no criminal record, Robinson said.

He was involved in the New Vineyard burglaries, Robinson said.

Bail was set at $500 cash and a pretrial service agreement. , no alcohol or illegal drugs conditions, searches and no contact with defendants.

A status conference on the cases was set for 8:30 a.m. Sept. 11 at Franklin County Superior Court in Farmington.