ROCKLAND – The following cases were closed in Knox County Court from Aug. 10-17.

Stephen Ames, 36, of Greenbush, gross sexual assault, three counts, unlawful sexual contact and sexual misconduct in Thomaston from June 1, 2027 through June 1, 2019 with a child under 12 years. 

Ames was sentenced to 50 years in prison Aug. 11 by Justice Patrick Larson to be followed by a lifetime of supervision as a sex offender registered with SORNA, the sex offender registration and notification act in Maine.

He was arrested in October 2023 by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation and indicted by a Knox County grand jury in Feb. 2024. The case went to trial in January 2026 where he was convicted by a jury.

According to the court affidavit filed in court by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the sexual assaults occurred multiple times a week beginning in 2017 in Thomaston. The victim’s grandmother reported the sexual assaults to the Child Protective Intake Unit of the Department of Health and Human Services. The girl said the abuse began when she was 6 years old and continued until she was 9, according to the court affidavit.

Stephen Ames, 66, of Cushing, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer in Rockland April 10, 2026 in Rockland, $100 fine and restitution of $93.49.

Harold H. Clarke Jr., 64, of Camden, domestic violence criminal threatening in Camden July 5, 2026 in Camden, dismissed; refusing to submit to arrest or detention, physical force in Camden July 5, 2026, $400 fine; criminal mischief in Camden July 5, 2026, dismissed; domestic violence criminal threatening in Camden July 5, 2026, $400 fine with the fine all suspended.

David D. Dates, 59, of South Thomaston, operating under the influence (alcohol) in South Thomaston Feb. 12, 2024, $500 fine, license suspended 150 days.

Jakob Doherty, 20, of Appleton, operating under the influence (alcohol) in Thomaston Dec. 6, 2025, $500 fine, two days in jail, license suspended 14 months.

Clifford J. Dumont, 33, of China, operating after habitual offender revocation, two priors, in Rockland April 22, 2026, $1,000 fine.

Cassandra English, 44, of Rockport, violating condition of release in Warren Oct. 10, 2024, $750 fine, unlawful possession of scheduled drug in Warren Oct. 10, 2024, dismissed; violating condition of release in Warren Oct. 10, 2024, dismissed.

Colby Verrill Hyde, 23, of Warren, fishing without a valid license in Hope May 15, 2026, $100 fine.

Derek A. Leigh, 41, of Union, operating under the influence (alcohol), with one prior, in Rockland May 28, 2025, $700 fine, seven days in jail, license suspended three years; endangering the welfare of a child in Rockland May 28, 2025, seven days in jail; unlawful sexual touching in Washington Aug. 14, 2025, dismissed; assault in Washington Aug. 14, 2025, 364 days in jail with all but 30 days suspended, probation one year; operating while license suspended or revoked (operating under the influence) in Union June 5, 2026, $600 fine, seven days in jail, license suspended three years; violating condition of release in Union June 5, 2026, seven days in jail.

Joel Long, 59, of Appleton, operating under the influence (alcohol) in Union April 10, 2026, $500 fine, license suspended 150 days. 

Jill M. MacDonald, 46, of Camden, domestic violence assault in Rockland April 1, 2025 in Rockland, dismissed; criminal mischief in Rockland April 1, 2025, $250 fine; disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures in Rockland April 1, 2025, $250 fine.

Owen McIntosh, 20, of Rockland, fishing without a valid license in Hope June 15, 2026, $100 fine.

Evan McNally, 19, of Wilton, disorderly conduct, offensive words, gestures in Warren May 31, 2025, $200 fine with the fine all suspended; operating vehicle without license or beyond restriction (with conditions and restrictions) in Warren June 25, 2025, $200 fine with the fine all suspended; violating condition of release in Warren June 25, 2025, $200 fine with the fine all suspended; violating condition of release in Warren July 25, 2025, $500 fine..

Brandon Patterson, 38, of Rockland, domestic violence assault in St. George March 15, 2023, no sentence imposed.

Joseph Zak, 42, of Rockland, assault in Rockland March 23, 2025, $1,000 fine.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com