PARIS – A judge Thursday ordered a former Mountain Valley High School basketball coach to register as a lifetime sex offender.

Donald L. Hebert, 34, of 577 Common Road in Dixfield, previously was required to register as a 10-year sex offender. Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor said he was informed by the superintendent of the state’s Sex Offender Registry that Hebert had to register as a lifetime offender since he was convicted of multiple offenses on separate dates.

“It does not appear to be optional or discretionary in any way,” O’Connor said.

Hebert was indicted in No vember 2007 on three counts each of gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact involving two 17-year-old girls. He pleaded guilty in June to one count each of gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact against one girl in February and March 2007.

Justice Roland Cole amended the sex-offender registry requirement in Oxford County Superior Court on Thursday. Cole had sentenced Hebert in June to serve nine months of a five-year sentence, with four years of probation.

Prior to his arrest in September 2007, Hebert had no criminal history. He worked as an education technician for the Dixfield school system before his arrest. He had also served as a basketball coach and a soccer coach for Mountain Valley High School in Rumford and a baseball coach for Dirigo High School in Dixfield.

Defense lawyer James Martemucci objected to O’Connor’s motion to amend the judgment, saying he had understood Hebert would plead to a single offense. O’Connor said he had also thought that Hebert could plead to one conviction and register as a 10-year offender.

“There’s been a lot of angst about this issue,” said Cole, noting that certain registry requirements have been challenged. “He may have some relief down the road. I can’t guarantee that.”


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.