LEWISTON – A suspect in a Christmas morning stabbing was returned to jail Monday, two days after he was accused of knifing another man at a local motel.

Carlos Orellana, 37, was charged with aggravated assault after police said he used a butcher knife to stab an acquaintance at the Travel Inn on Lisbon Street.

It happened around midnight on Christmas morning, police said. Officers called out to the motel found 40-year-old Isaias Guevera bleeding from stab wounds to his arm and chest.

Guevera was taken to Central Maine Medical Center to be treated for his wounds. Police, meanwhile, began questioning motel employees and other guests.

Orellana was found in a motel room and was taken to the police station to be questioned, investigators said. He first told detectives he had been sleeping all night and knew nothing about the assault.

According to a court document, Orellana later admitted that he fought with Guevera but denied that anyone was stabbed.

Police said Orellana had cuts and bruises consistent with a scuffle. He told police Guevera had come to his motel room demanding a ride to a store. Orellana refused and a fight ensued, according to the affidavit.

Police said medical reports from the hospital indicated that Guevera’s wounds were caused by a long, sharp object. Police found a butcher knife at the motel and seized it as evidence. Orellana was arrested and taken to the Androscoggin County Jail.

Police investigating the stabbing called federal immigration officials to assist them with the probe. Customs officials were trying to determine where Orellana and Guevera are from and whether they were in Lewiston legally.

Guevera was treated for his injuries and released from CMMC shortly after he was taken there. Orellana was returned to the county jail after an initial court appearance at 8th District Court. He was being held Monday night on $5,000 cash bail.