Milo man awaits sentencing in sexual abuse of minor case

DOVER-FOXCROFT – The sentencing of a Milo man, who pleaded no contest to sexual abuse of a minor Wednesday in Piscataquis County Superior Court, was continued day to day.

Jeffrey Banker, 28, also entered guilty pleas for aggravated furnishing of marijuana and for violation of his conditions of release.

A count of gross sexual assault is expected to be dismissed at sentencing.

Piscataquis County District Attorney R. Christopher Almy recommended Wednesday that Banker be sentenced to three years in prison with all but nine months suspended on the sexual abuse and on the aggravated furnishing counts.

He further recommended a 90-day consecutive jail sentence for the violation of conditions of release.

Each count, a Class C crime, carries a maximum prison sentence of up to five years in prison.

The charges involve a 15-year-old girl who was supplied with marijuana and sexually assaulted in Milo in 1999, according to Almy.

Almy said Banker has a history of enticing younger girls into these types of situations. He said the Milo man has been convicted before of similar conduct.

The prosecutor said Wednesday he had no choice but to recommend the dismissal of the gross sexual assault charge because of a statute that would help Banker’s defense. The statute outlines whether a person voluntarily consumed or allowed administration of the substance with knowledge of its nature.