FARMINGTON — A defense attorney said Friday in Franklin County Superior Court that a Jay man “adamantly” denies sexually abusing two girls.
Attorney Curtis Rice entered denials on two misdemeanor charges of unlawful sexual touching for Steven M. Dumeny, 33.
Justice William Stokes said he could not take a plea on the third charge of felony unlawful sexual contact because it has to go before a grand jury.
The District Attorney’s Office elevated the latter charge from a Class C to a Class B on Friday. A conviction on the charge is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000.
Dumeny was arrested Thursday on the lesser charge.
The Jay Police Department and New York State Police conducted an investigation that led to a warrant being issued on the initial charges.
Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins asked Friday for bail to be set at $10,000 cash. He asked for conditions of no contact with the victims or any children under age 16. He also asked that Dumeny be prohibited from leaving Maine to go to New York because of his contacts there.
Rice argued for $500 cash bail and a pretrial contract.
Dumeny lives with his grandparents, who are 92 and 84, and cooks for them, takes them where they need to go and maintains their property, Rice said.
He also argued that Dumeny be allowed to leave the state because of a custody dispute with his wife over their children.
Stokes set bail at $5,000 cash with conditions that include no contact with children under age 16 and no contact with the victims.
He allowed Dumeny to travel to New York for court appearances on condition that he waives extradition before he goes in case he fails to come back to Maine.
Stokes said he would not allow a pretrial agreement now because he had just read the affidavit for the first time.
He reserved Dumeny’s right to request lower bail in the future.
Attorney George Hess was appointed to represent Dumeny.
Dumeny remained in the Franklin County jail in Farmington on Monday morning.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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