Grand jury indicts accused child molester

ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY — An Androscoggin Grand Jury and Oxford District Attorney agreed on Wednesday, February 9 to issue 20 indictments in the case of John Callahan, accused last October of molesting and assaulting boys in Mechanic Falls.

The Grand Jury held up all 20 charges issued against Callahan.  They included 17 felonies, including Class A Gross Sexual Assault and one charge of Unlawful Possession of  Explicit Material depicting a minor under the age of 12.

He served as a volunteer for the Mechanic Falls Recreation Department for 12 years, but according to Chief Jeffrey Goss, none of the crimes he is being accused of were related to his voluntary service.

He has been held at the Androscoggin County Jail since being arrested on October 7. Bail was set at $25,000. At the time of his arrest, he was charged with seven crimes, but 13 more were added during the investigation.

His trial has been set for April 4th.  If convicted, Callahan could face a very long time in prison. Several of the charges carry five year minimum sentences and Class A felonies carry a maximum prison time of up to 40 years.