RUMFORD – Police believe their arrest of a 13-year-old Rumford boy has resolved one of two alleged sex crimes reported last week in the town.
Detective Lt. Stacy Carter said Monday afternoon that the boy was arrested Thursday and charged with unlawful sexual contact in connection with an incident that reportedly happened Dec. 6.
The alleged victim is a Rumford boy under the age of 12, Carter added.
The 13-year-old, who was conditionally released to a relative, will be arraigned Feb. 28 in Rumford District Court.
Also last week, a Rumford woman reported having been sexually assaulted by someone she knows, police said.
Police are still investigating both cases.
In other police news, a Dixfield man was arraigned Monday on a charge of operating under the influence, third offense, in Paris District Court.
John James Vargas, 30, was arrested at about 10:15 p.m. on Dec. 10 on Hancock Street in Rumford, charged with the crime and summoned for operating without a license.
Failing to post $1,000 cash bail, he was taken to Oxford County Jail in Paris.
Rumford District Court Clerk Darlene Richards said Tuesday that Vargas entered no plea at his arraignment, because a third OUI is considered a felony.
A probable cause hearing has been set for Vargas for 8:30 a.m. on March 21 in Rumford District Court, unless he is indicted by an Oxford County grand jury. Then, he would be arraigned again, but in Oxford County Superior Court in Paris.
Vargas was previously convicted of OUI in 2003 in Androscoggin County, and in 1997 in Rumford, Carter said.
Richards said a Paris judge conditionally released Vargas on Monday on personal recognizance bail. Conditions are that he not have or use alcohol, not drive a motor vehicle, and must take prescribed medications, she said.
A Mexico man pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of assault on Nov. 30 in Oxford County Superior Court in Paris, but did not admit guilt.
A judge found Jessie M. Cross, 23, guilty, and sentenced him to 120 days in jail, but he may have already served that waiting for his case to get to court, a court clerk’s assistant said Monday afternoon.
Cross was arrested by Carter on June 25 and charged with gross sexual assault after allegedly having unwanted sexual intercourse with a 19-year-old woman the day before at a Rumford apartment.
On Aug. 12, Cross was indicted by an Oxford County grand jury in Paris for the same felony charge.
Calls to the District Attorney’s office in Paris on Tuesday to learn why the charge was reduced, were not returned.
Comments are no longer available on this story