Ex-UMaine student gets 90 days in assault

BANGOR – A former University of Maine student who sneaked into a sleeping female student’s dorm room and fondled her pleaded guilty Friday to two felony charges in Penobscot Superior Court.

Han-Chung “Anthony” Huang, 20, pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal trespass and unlawful sexual conduct – both are Class C felony charges – in connection with an incident last March in which he entered the dorm room of a sleeping female student, lay on top of her, fondled her, and then took a digital photograph of her before running away.

Huang, who said in court he was a resident of Taiwan, has lived in the United States for five years.

He was sentenced by Justice E. Allen Hunter to 31/2 years in prison, with all but 90 days suspended, for the unlawful sexual conduct along with four years of probation. He received an additional 90 days in jail to be served concurrently for the aggravated criminal trespass charge.

“I know what I did was wrong, and I feel sorry for what I did and for the people who care about me,” Huang said before sentencing.

Two other charges against Huang were dropped.

Huang, a graduate of Nokomis High School in Newport, was ordered back to Penobscot County Jail for the length of his sentence. While serving his probation, Huang is not allowed to have any direct or indirect contact with the victim or to consume intoxicants. He must submit to a mental health evaluation and conform to any health recommendations. He also has to register as a sex offender.

Assistant District Attorney Alice Clifford dismissed a burglary charge and assault charge against Huang.

The incident occurred at Penobscot Hall, the co-ed dorm where Huang also lived, Clifford said.

“She was sleeping in her dorm room at the University of Maine, and at approximately 3 a.m. … she was awakened by someone on top of her,” Clifford said.

The woman was laying on her front during the assault. The victim screamed and jumped up, allowing her to see Huang.

“At that time, the suspect had a digital camera, and he took a picture,” Clifford said.

Huang was arrested within hours of the March 1 report by UMaine police. A search of his dorm room turned up clothing the victim had described, as well as the digital camera that contained a photograph linked to the crime.

Clifford said the camera held a photo that was taken before the assault, but not the one taken after, as described by the victim.

The judge asked Huang if he understood that by pleading guilty Huang faced possible immigration consequences, since he is not a U.S. citizen.

“Yes, I understand this,” Huang said.

Huang’s Newport attorney, Josh Tardy, said the suspect had been informed of his standing with immigration.

“It’s my understanding that he will be deported,” Clifford said. “That’s what he [Tardy] indicated in court.”