ROCKLAND – A former Stockton Springs part-time police officer who was arrested in November 2021 for assaulting a teenage girl several times was sentenced Sept. 19 in Knox County Court to 10 years in prison. 

Christopher Hast, 35, of Searsport, was sentenced for three counts of gross sexual assault, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, and two counts of possession of sexually explicit materials. Police the offenses began in April 2021 and continued until October 2021.

Hast was employed by the town of Stockton Springs since August 2015 and was put on unpaid administrative leave after he was arrested, confirmed Town Manager Mac Smith in an email statement Nov. 4, 2021.

“The charges are not reflective of the dedication and professionalism with which the officers of the Stockton Springs Police Department conduct themselves on a daily basis,” said Smith. “The State Police's current investigation does not appear to involve the officer's employment with the Town of Stockton Springs. The Town of Stockton Springs is fully cooperating with the Maine State Police.”

According to the affidavit filed in court by Maine State Police Detective Christopher Crawford, the investigation of Hast began Oct. 29, 2021, after the victim reported the sexual assaults to her school counselor.

The victim said that Hast had sent her a Snapchat message about killing her mother so they could be together forever, according to court documents. He also shared sexually explicit internet links with the victim and also requested that she send him nude photographs, according to the court document.

Police obtained a search warrant and seized Hast’s iPhone during the investigation.

Hast had denied the charges when he was interviewed by the state police detective.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com