ROCKLAND — The following cases were closed in Knox County Unified Court from Sept. 6-13.

Ashley Rae Benner, 39, of Cushing, criminal forfeiture of property in Thomaston April 11, 2022.

Michael R. Demers, 64, of Lincolnville, operating under the influence (alcohol), no test, failure to give correct name, address or date of birth, refusing to submit to arrest or detention, refusing to stop, refusing to sign uniform summons complaint, all in Rockland June 6, all dismissed.

Richard Ellis, 35, of Camden, kidnapping and gross sexual assault in Camden Sept. 15, 2021, both dismissed; domestic violence aggravated assault in Camden Sept. 15, 2021, four years in jail with all but one year suspended, probation three years, and restitution $1674; criminal threatening, obstructing report of a crime, and violating condition of release all in Camden Sept. 15, 2021, six months in jail.

He appeared before Justice Daniel Billings via zoom in a court hearing Sept. 8. He has been held at the Knox County Jail since he was arrested in October 2021.

The victim submitted a letter to the court prior to the hearing stating that she “had sound” reasons not to testify at the upcoming trial.

The state and defense attorney then reached a plea agreement for the sentencing of Ellis.

The terms of his probation include that he does not have any contact with the victim, cannot possess any firearms or dangerous weapons, and complete a domestic violence evaluation and counseling.

Ellis was arrested Sept. 15, 2021, by Camden Police for allegedly holding a woman against her will for more than a week and assaulting her multiple times.

He was charged with kidnapping, gross sexual assault, aggravated assault, criminal threatening, obstructing the report of a crime or injury and violation of a condition of release.

Ellis made his initial court appearance in Knox County Court Friday afternoon, Sept. 17, 2021, where Judge John Martin set his bail at $100,000 cash with no third party bail allowed.

The District Attorney’s Office filed a motion to revoke his bail based on a previous domestic assault case from February 2021.

According to the affidavit filed in Knox County Court by Camden Detective Sgt. Curt Andrick, police were notified that a woman was lying in the road around 7 a.m. Sept. 15. When police arrived at the scene, they did not locate the female who had since come to the lobby at the Camden Police Station for help.

Police reported that the victim had multiple bruises, two black eyes, scratches, several other abrasions on her face and a possible broken nose. NorthEast Mobile Health responded, treated and transported the victim to Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

The woman told police that the suspect had threatened to kill her while she was held against her will for over a week at a Park Street residence in Camden.

During that time, Ellis allegedly took her cell phone, car keys and glasses and assaulted her numerous times.

At the Park Street residence, several officers of the Camden and Rockport Police Departments assisted in securing the residence in anticipation of the search and arrest warrant, according to Andrick.

Andrick obtained a warrant Sept. 15 to arrest Ellis who was then transported to the Knox County Jail.

Jessica R. Higgins, 39, of Rockland, unlawful trafficking in scheduled drugs in Rockland April 1, 2021, $400 fine, all suspended; unlawful possession of scheduled drug in Rockland April 1, 2021, $400 fine, all suspended.

Dawn Light, 39, of South Portland, assault and violating of condition of release in Appleton on Aug. 16, 2020, both dismissed.

Philip B. Pratt, 65, of Warren, operating all terrain vehicle on public way in Warren June 23, 2022, $100 fine.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com