Sanford man faces hate crime complaint

SANFORD – The state Attorney General’s Office has filed a complaint against a Sanford man accusing him of assaulting another man at an adult bookstore because he thought the man was gay.

The state is asking a York County Superior Court justice to issue an order prohibiting William Livermore, 31, from engaging in hate crimes. A hearing has not been scheduled.

The request comes under the state’s civil rights act, which prohibits violence against anyone because of race, sexual orientation, religion or physical or mental disability.

The court complaint stems from an incident that allegedly took place at an adult bookstore in Kittery.

Police said Livermore allegedly called a 34-year-old man a derogatory term related to sexual orientation and then punched the man in the face.

Livermore’s attorney had no immediate comment on the state’s action.