Man charged with alleged harassment of Boothbay Harbor teen

Tue, 10/21/2014 - 8:45am

Story Location:
11 Howard Street
Boothbay Harbor, ME
United States

A Wiscasset man has been charged with harassment after he was alleged to have sent a nude photo of himself to a Boothbay Harbor teen.

Michael Groton, 33, of Wiscasset was arrested Oct. 8 and charged with harassment after allegedly sending inappropriate messages and a semi-nude photo to a local high school senior.

Boothbay Harbor Police Officer Lawrence Brown interviewed both the alleged victim and Groton, and charged Groton with Class E harassment using an electronic device, which is a misdemeanor.

On October 3, a 17-year-old from Boothbay Harbor initiated a complaint to Brown and Officer Thomas Chryplewicz stating that a man had sent a photo via Facebook without a shirt and with his genitals exposed.

The 17-year-old girl went to the Boothbay Harbor police station where she reported the message. Harbor police made a copy of the messages and photo.

Brown then called Groton into the station for a meeting. When Groton arrived, Brown told him that he wanted to talk about a complaint where Groton had allegedly contacted a minor. Brown reportedly told Groton that it was up to Groton to talk about the incident and Groton reportedly said he would be interviewed.

Brown writes that Groton initially denied sending the photo, but allegedly later admitted, both verbally and in a written statement, that he sent the photo.

In his statement, Groton reportedly said that he never meant to send the photo, that it was the wrong photo and he didn't remember sending it.

In his letter, Groton reportedly apologized for sending the photo.

Class E crimes are punishable by up to six months in country jail and up to a $1,000 fine. Groton will appear at Lincoln County District Court Nov. 26.