Poland man charged with Gross Sexual Assault

POLAND — Matthew J. Thompson, 32, of Mechanic Falls Road in Poland has been arrested and charged with Gross Sexual Assault.

According to Detective Gary Hill of the Norway Police Department, the crime was committed several years ago in Norway when his victim was only six or seven years of age, but has only recently come to light.

He said that this is often the case in crimes like this, as young children may not have any idea of what is right or wrong, and no idea about who to contact for help.

Thompson previously pled guilty to another charge of Unlawful Sexual Touching against a victim of the same age in 2006. At the time, he was released on a Deferred Disposition, in which sentencing is withheld until the perpetrator fulfills a certain set of conditions.

His conditions included receiving counseling through a sex offender treatment program. According to Hill, he was supposed to complete the program within a year, but never did so.

The accusations being leveled at him now are for crimes that took place before he was scheduled to complete his treatment.

Thompson's bail has been set at $20,000 cash or $100,000 surety.

Matthew J. Thompson Photo:

Matthew J. Thompson