AUBURN – A Poland man was charged this week with 11 counts of gross sexual assault involving a 12-year-old girl.

James M. Bazinet, 47, was a friend of the girl’s family, said Assistant District Attorney Deborah Cashman, who prosecutes sex crimes for that office.

The charges stem from encounters involving sexual acts dating back to 1998, Cashman said. Each of the counts is a class A felony, punishable by up to 40 years in prison.

The alleged victim, now an adult, made statements to law enforcement authorities that were corroborated by Bazinet, who was cooperative with police, Cashman said. There is little evidence of the crimes otherwise, she said.

Bazinet is receiving counseling, she said.

The alleged crimes were committed in Lewiston where Bazinet lived at the time, Cashman said.

Other men indicted on sex charges this week by an Androscoggin County grand jury include:

• Brian Schwenneker, 29, of Lewiston on three counts of class A gross sexual assault involving a girl younger than 14 years old;

• Herbert Willey Jr., 19, of Lewiston on one count of class A gross sexual assault involving a girl younger than 14 years old;

• Gary Hesketh, 53, of Minot on six counts of class C unlawful sexual contact involving a girl younger than 14 years old; and

• Steven Harris, 46, of Augusta on one count of class B unlawful sexual contact involving a girl younger than 18.

Police expect to summons each of the suspects to appear in court to answer the charges.

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