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Transient charged with sexual assault at Airport Mall

By Nok-Noi Ricker, BDN Staff

Posted Dec. 04, 2009, at 8:40 p.m.

Edward F G Benoit. PHOTO COURTESY OF PENOBSCOT COUNTY JAIL. Gagnon story Buy Photo

BANGOR, Maine — People in the area of the Airport Mall called police on Saturday, Nov. 28, to report that a man and a woman were engaged in sexual behavior on the base of a light pole in the parking lot behind the shopping center, Lt. Tim Reid said Friday.

Police arrived at the scene around 4:20 p.m. and found the suspects engaged in oral sex.

The 40-year-old woman involved was highly intoxicated and the man with her, later identified as Edward Benoit, 50, reportedly was taking advantage of her, the police lieutenant said.

“According to witnesses, it did not seem consensual, and he was arrested,” Reid said.

Benoit, who is listed as a transient, was charged with felony Class B gross sexual assault and misdemeanor indecent conduct and taken to Penobscot County Jail.

He later was released but was arrested two days later after someone at the Acadia Recovery Community, known as the ARC, called to report a disturbance that involved Benoit, who was intoxicated, according to Reid.

The ARC, formerly known as Hope House, is a program of Acadia Hospital that provides emergency shelter, treatment and transitional housing for homeless people with drug and alcohol addictions.

Benoit was arrested again at 9:15 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, because “part of his bail conditions are that he is not supposed to possess alcohol,” Reid said.

If convicted of the Class B crime, Benoit could face a penalty of up to 10 years in jail and a fine of up to $20,000. He remained in jail on Friday, a jail official said.