FARMINGTON — A Lovell man charged with sexually assaulting three boys in Franklin County the past two years had his bail set at $200,000 cash Monday in Farmington District Court.

Jonathan M. Clark, 28, formerly of Chesterville, is charged with six felony counts of gross sexual assault and one felony count of sexual abuse of a minor. The incidents occurred from January 2013 to March 2014 in Chesterville, Wilton and Farmington, and involved boys under the age of 15, according to a police affidavit.

A conviction for gross sexual assault is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Clark was arrested late Thursday in Lovell and taken to the Oxford County Jail in Paris. He was later taken to Franklin County jail in Farmington, where he was interviewed, Leighton said.

Search warrants were executed at a home in Lovell and a home in Chesterville, he said.

According to Leighton’s affidavit filed with the court, a Maine Department of Health and Human Services representative and a representative of The Children’s Advocacy Center interviewed the victims separately.

Leighton’s affidavit said he and Detective Ethel Ross interviewed Clark on Thursday at the Franklin County jail. Clark was read his Miranda and waived his rights, Leighton wrote.

During the interview, Clark said he engaged in a sex act with one of the boys on about 20 to 30 separate occasions for two years and another sex act with the same boy once a week for two years, the affidavit states.

Clark also said he engaged in a sex act with a second boy a number of times for one or two years. He also committed a sex act with a third boy March 14, the affidavit states.

Judge Susan Oram directed Clark to enter no pleas Monday.

Assistant District Attorney James Andrews said Clark has no criminal record as far as he knows.

In asking for a high bail, Andrews said the safety of the community should be considered as well as the age and number of boys and the multiple charges.

Oram set the bail at $200,000 cash with no surety or third-party bail allowed. She ordered that Clark have no contact with the boys and no contact with children younger than 16. She said bail can be reviewed once a lawyer is appointed to take his case.

Detective Leighton  said the investigation is continuing.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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