BELFAST — A Belfast man was indicted Sept. 24 by a Waldo County grand jury on 13 counts that span two separate cases.

Randy Elwell, 29, was arrested Aug. 25, charged with eight counts of dissemination of obscene matter, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, two counts of gross sexual assault, and unlawful sexual contact.

The arrest followed an interview with investigating Waldo County Sheriff Detective Aaron Santana, according to an official narrative submitted to Waldo County Judicial Center Aug. 26. According to the document, the investigation into Elwell began with Detective Santana looking into the possibility that Elwell violated his probation. 

To gain additional information, Santana submitted three warrant requests for information in Elwell's phone, and two of his and his possible victim's social media accounts.  It was during the review of the retrieved data that Elwell’s allegedly illegal activity surfaced, according to the Aug. 26, affidavit filed by Santana.

Multiple crimes were discovered upon reviewing the data, including eight counts of dissemination of obscene matter, and two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor. These charges were the result of multiple conversations Elwell allegedly had on social media with teens aged 13 and 14. In these conversations, Elwell allegedly sent pictures and video of his genetalia to the teenagers, and requested they send explicit photos in return, according to the affidavit for this case. 

During the initial investigation into Elwell's potential probation violation, Detective Santana also became aware of a sexual abuse case from 2023 that was investigated by Bucksport Police, where Elwell had been considered a potential supsect. According to a separate affidavit submitted by Santana, Elwell had been one of three suspects regarding the sexual abuse of a then-five-year-old child.

Santana was able to view the transcripts from the initial investigation into the allegations, including interviews with the child in question, along with the three suspects. Though charges were not brought in that case, Santana arranged subsequent interviews with the now eight-year-old child in July 2026, who revealed additional information.

In these interviews, the victim reportedly named Elwell as their abuser, and revealed that during the 2023 abuse, Elwell had threatened to take the child to "kid jail" if they revealed the alleged abuse. 

During the Aug. 25, interview with Elwell, he denied any wrongdoing or innappropriate behavior with the child. He was ultimately arrested the same day and charged with two counts of gross sexual assault in addition to unlawful sexual contact, along with the 10 other charges relating to his online conduct with teenagers. 

Elwell’s bail was set at $100,000 secured cash with stipulations that included no contact with his alleged victims. He was also prohibited from possessing internet accessible devices, and subject to random searches. Elwell will be barred from having contact with anyone under age 18. 

He is currently being held at Maine State Prison.

Elwell, who is being represented by attorney Jeremy Pratt, is next expected to appear in court Oct. 27, at 1 p.m. The appearance will take place via Zoom, according to court documents.

*An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated Randy Elwell had been granted bail. The article has been corrected.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com