A convicted sex offender received a lengthy prison term at his sentencing in Lincoln County Superior Court March 8.
Justice Andrew Horton imposed a 35-year sentence on Bradley M. Howe, 48, of which Howe will initially serve 18 years. The remaining 17 years will be suspended during 12 years of probation, which follows Howe’s release from prison, according to a press release issued by the District Attorney’s Office.
Howe, formerly of Jefferson, pleaded guilty to Gross Sexual Assault, Criminal Threatening with a Weapon and Unauthorized Use of Property on May 7, 2010, and had been awaiting sentencing since that time; the crimes took place on Sept. 29, 2009 in Whitefield, according to the release.
Howe’s sentencing had been continued for preparation of a pre-sentence investigation report and for a mental status evaluation by the State Forensic Service, according to the press release.
Howe was sentenced under a 2000 law that authorizes an enhanced sentence for Gross Sexual Assault when the defendant has been convicted before of the same or similar crime. Howe was previously convicted of rape in 1982, an offense now included within the crime of Gross Sexual Assault, according to the press release.
The victim attended the sentencing and described for Horton the overwhelming impact this crime has had upon her life.
“The sexual assault, like so many committed in Maine, involved a victim who knew her attacker,” said Lincoln County District Attorney Geoffrey Rushlau. “The victim provides assistance for homeless or disadvantaged Maine citizens. He attacked her at the time she was doing this valuable and compassionate work.
“The assault has had a profound effect on her life,” Rushlau said. “The effect is not lessened at all by the fact that she was acquainted with Howe before the attack. What she endured should emphasize to all of us that sexual assault, whether by a complete stranger or by a person known to the victim, is one of the most vicious and destructive crimes any person can inflict upon another human being.”
