A Florida man with assault convictions in Missouri and Texas will return to custody in Texas after a year in jail in Lincoln County awaiting trial on another assault charge.
Jonathan D. Kennedy, 33, of Fort Lauderdale, pleaded guilty to two counts of class C violation of condition of release, a felony, in Lincoln County Superior Court July 31.
Kennedy was sentenced to a year in jail. He will receive credit for his time at Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset – almost a year from his Aug. 11, 2013 arrest to his July 31 plea.
The state dismissed a class A aggravated assault charge in exchange for Kennedy’s guilty plea.
Kennedy allegedly assaulted his 57-year-old domestic partner while on vacation in Boothbay Harbor the night of Saturday, Aug. 10, 2013.
Kennedy allegedly pinned the man down and began choking him, according to a report by Boothbay Harbor Police Officer Scott Mercier. Mercier arrested Kennedy and charged him with class C domestic violence assault early Aug. 11.
The court set bail at $50,000 cash, then revoked bail after Kennedy called the alleged victim in Florida from the jail.
The violation of condition of release charges stem from calls on Sept. 11, 2013. Kennedy was prohibited from having contact with the man.
A Lincoln County grand jury indicted Kennedy on a class A charge of aggravated assault on Sept. 9, 2013. A class A charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.
The choking allegation and Kennedy’s previous convictions elevated the charge to class A aggravated assault.
Kennedy was convicted of aggravated assault on Oct. 30, 2009 in Travis County, Texas, and of domestic assault on Dec. 22, 2011 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, according to the indictment. He is on probation for the Texas assault until 2019.
Assistant District Attorney Jon Liberman was not sure how much time Kennedy could face if Texas authorities convict him of violating his probation. Texas will likely continue to hold him without bail in the meantime, Liberman said.
Kennedy takes anti-psychotic medications and receives Social Security payments due to a mental disability, according to court documents.
Texas authorities will pick up Kennedy in Maine and transport him to Texas, Assistant District Attorney Andrew Wright said during the plea hearing.
