‘Circumstances’ discussed in plea agreement result in reduced charge
By Jen Lynds
Bangor Daily News (Maine)
Copyright 2006 Bangor Daily News
HOULTON, Maine — A firefighter and emergency medical technician who was charged with a sex crime last year pleaded guilty Thursday to a lesser charge in Aroostook County Superior Court.
During the hearing, Steven E. Dewitt, 33, was found guilty of the Class D crime of unlawful sexual touching, according to court records. Justice E. Allen Hunter ordered Dewitt to serve five days in Aroostook County Jail and pay a $500 fine. He also must write a letter of apology to the victim and reimburse the county for jail costs.
The conviction will not require Dewitt to register as a sex offender.
Allegations of gross sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor originally were filed against Dewitt last April. The allegations involved a female who was 14 or 15 at the time of the Oct 29, 2004, incident in Oakfield.
Dewitt was indicted by the Aroostook County grand jury solely on the charge of sexual abuse of a minor. He entered a not guilty plea to the allegation last May and was free on personal recognizance bond while awaiting a jury trial.
The allegation was amended to the charge of unlawful sexual touching before Dewitt’s sentencing.
Assistant District Attorney Suzanne Russell said Thursday that the lesser charge was the result of a plea agreement.
Russell said that there were “circumstances on both his [Dewitt’s] and [the victim’s] side that warranted a reduction” in the charge.
According to court documents, the victim had not “expressly or impliedly acquiesced in the sexual touching” at the time of the incident.
Dewitt initially was placed on paid administrative leave from his job with the town after the charges were filed against him. He later was placed just on leave pending resolution of the matter.