Cumberland County District Attorney's Office

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We want to highlight some important victories that our Office accomplished over the past month.On Wednesday August 5th, ...
09/01/2026

We want to highlight some important victories that our Office accomplished over the past month.

On Wednesday August 5th, Assistant District Attorney Kristen Hughes achieved two guilty verdicts in State v Joshua Maley after a three day jury trial. Following 1.5 hours of deliberation, the jury came back with a guilty verdict for Domestic Violence Aggravated Assault by Strangulation and Domestic Violence Assault with Priors. Victim Witness Advocate Julie Merrick and Trial Assistant Amanda Nelson played vital roles in this victory, helping not only ADA Hughes but also supporting the victim every step of the way. Thank you to our team for securing justice for the victim and holding the defendant accountable.

On Friday August 7th, a jury convicted Dustin Strout, 38, on three counts of Gross S*xual Assault following a three day trial. Strout was indicted on January 8, 2026 for sexually abusing a 14-year-old victim in 2023. Assistant District Attorney Emily Protzmann and Deputy District Attorney Christopher Coleman represented the State. Victim Witness Advocate Jessica Amato and Trial Assistant Heather O’Hanlon worked tirelessly alongside ADA Protzmann and DDA Coleman to bring justice to the victim and hold the defendant accountable for his actions.

Great work to both of these teams!

07/25/2026

My office rarely makes statements about active cases. We never want to be accused of trying to prejudice the outcome of a criminal matter at trial, and every prosecutor takes seriously the presumption of innocence of those we accuse of committing a crime.

Due to some understandable public concern about a particular case, I think it's appropriate to discuss those concerns in general without getting into the details of any given case.

On Monday, I read a piece in The Guardian about extraordinarily offensive and demeaning conduct allegedly being perpetrated by some men against unsuspecting victims, apparently encouraged via social media. The story featured cases out of Texas. (Link below). On Monday, we had not seen such a case here in Cumberland County.

Yesterday one of our prosecutors alerted me that an online video indicated a very disturbing alleged incident in Portland. He reached out to the Portland Police Department to make sure a full investigation was underway. In reviewing the case, several of us noted that we do not have a statute responding to conduct alleging an assault with alleged bodily fluids. No provision under Maine's current S*x Assault statute applies. We charged the alleged perpetrator with what we could: Assault, a Class D misdemeanor.

Other states have statutes that are on point with more significant consequences (see link, below). Maine simply does not. I began contacting legislators Thursday night to gauge their support to consider this in the upcoming session. I can safely say that there is some strong interest, and I will be working to make sure this is put before them. Conduct such as that in The Guardian's coverage is traumatic and completely unacceptable, and it's vital to take steps to prevent this bizarre and awful fad from spreading.

With respect to prevention, a warning:
1. In Maine, our existing misdemeanor Assault statute covers a very broad scale of potential criminal conduct. It also covers a broad range of penalties, including up to 364 days in jail;
2. Online dares to demean victims are not merely internet fodder without consequences. When this despicable behavior occurs and we are provided with evidence of a criminal violation, I am more than ready to prosecute, and to ask the Court for appropriate consequences;
3. Want to avoid criminal charges and serious consequences for doing something demeaning and stupid?

Don't do it.

I appreciate the many expressions of community concern about these allegations that were brought to my attention since yesterday. I'll keep folks posted as to the status of legislative efforts, and hope you will stay engaged.

Cumberland County to Celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW)April 19-25th, 2026FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril ...
04/15/2026

Cumberland County to Celebrate National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW)
April 19-25th, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2026
Portland, ME

Together with the Portland Police Department, the Cumberland County District Attorney’s Office will hold a special press conference on Tuesday, April 21st at 11:00 AM, in celebration of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW) at the Maine Room, Portland City Hall.

Advocates from both agencies have worked together to create a unique theme – Strength Through Community – for this year’s event. This theme highlights the significant role that community resources play in assisting victims and survivors of crime with legal, financial, and medical support, among others. A comprehensive guide of resources available to victims in Cumberland County and Southern Maine will be unveiled during the conference, along with a special QR code for immediate access and use.

Speakers will include Cumberland County District Attorney Jacqueline Sartoris, Deputy District Attorney and leader of the Cumberland County S*xual Assault Team, Christopher Coleman, Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois, Cara Cookson, Director of Victim Services for the Criminal Division of the Attorney General’s Office, and survivors of crime in Cumberland County.

District Attorney Jacqueline Sartoris stated, “No one asks to be the victim of a crime. Our community partners help empower victims to choose how they participate in the criminal legal system, to support them as they recover their equilibrium, and to assure them that their experience is not their fault. We are grateful for the work our partners do in meeting victims where they are and lifting them up, every day.”

“National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is an opportunity to recognize the strength of those impacted by crime and to reaffirm our unwavering support for them,” said Portland Police Chief Mark Dubois. “We are committed to ensuring every victim is treated with compassion, respect, and dignity, and that they have a voice throughout the justice process. Supporting victims is not just part of our mission, it is at the heart of what we do.”

For more information please contact Carly St. Pierre from the District Attorney’s Office at [email protected] or 207-871-8384. You may also contact Suna Shaw, Victim Witness Advocate Coordinator at the Portland Police Department, at 207-874-8519 or [email protected].

Address

142 Federal Street
Portland, ME
04101

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12078718384

Website

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