ROCKLAND — A Stockton Springs part-time police officer was arrested Nov. 1 for allegedly assaulting a teenage girl several times during the past seven months.

Christopher Hast, 32, of Rockland, was charged with 12 counts of Class B gross sexual assault for offenses that police say began in April and continued until Oct. 27.

He made his initial court appearance in Knox County Court Nov. 3 before Judge John Martin, who set bail at $10,000 cash.

Hast posted bail and was released from the Knox County Jail. He is on supervised release and must follow the requirements of house arrest except for employment, legal or medical reasons. He is also required to wear an electronic monitoring device and not have any contact with victim including her residence, place of employment or school.  

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

“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,” Smith said. “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 after the victim reported the alleged 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 denied the charges when he was interviewed by the state police detective.

He is scheduled to appear in court again on Jan. 27 for a dispositional conference.

Sarah Shepherd can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com