BELFAST — A Belfast man found guilty of soliciting two boys in Belfast City Park March 28, 2018, was sentenced to five months in jail with all but two weeks suspended in Waldo County Unified Court July 26. 

Edmund L Melanson, 76, of Montville, was arrested several months after the incident, following a Belfast Police appeal to the public for additional information about a tall, thin man with white hair in a ponytail. 

The day of the incident two boys were playing in the park when Melanson approached them to ask whether he could perform a sexual act on them. The boys were able to run away to a nearby adult who called Belfast police. 

The then-unknown man had left the scene prior to police arrival, leading to an investigation that would last until police received the tips that ultimately led to his identification.

Melanson was arrested after being identified in a photographic lineup. 

In addition to 14 days in jail, Melanson will be on probation for one year.