RANGELEY – A 58-year-old Rangeley man was charged with sexual abuse of a minor Tuesday.

David St. Laurent, detective for the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, received a report from the Department of Human Services stating that a 15-year-old Rangeley girl said she had had sex with Kenneth E. White on at least one occasion.

During interviews Tuesday, the girl alleged that the act was consensual but, because of her age, White was charged with sexual abuse of a minor.

St. Laurent contacted Rangeley Police Chief Phil Weymouth who received a telephone call from a member of White’s family Tuesday afternoon saying that he was willing to turn himself in. He was later arrested at a camp where he was working.

Police are still investigating the incident.

Taken to Franklin County Jail, White had his bail initially set at $1,000 cash or $20,000 surety. He remained in custody until Thursday when he was arraigned in Rumford District Court. No judge was available to preside in Farmington.

Assistant District Attorney James Andrews requested $1,000 cash bail, no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim or with any individuals under the age of 18 and that the suspect not be permitted to return to Rangeley. White’s attorney agreed to the terms.

Judge John McElwee, however, set conditions of White’s release to $2,500 unsecured cash bail, no contact with the alleged victim or with any females under the age of 18. He did not restrict White’s return to Rangeley. Unsecured cash bail allows a suspect to be released without posting bail but would require him to pay that amount to the state if bail conditions are violated.

White was released from jail Thursday afternoon.

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