Warren Cole, 87, ex-owner of Cole Farms

GRAY – Warren Cole, former owner of the Cole Farms Restaurant who went to prison after admitting molesting more than a dozen boys, has died in Skowhegan. He was 87. No cause was given.

In 1992, Cole was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of gross sexual misconduct. He admitted to molesting others, but those cases were beyond the statute of limitations.

Cole’s arrest became a media sensation when it was revealed that the 75-year-old had used jobs, cigarettes, alcohol and pornography to lure the youths and then used his ties with police as a veiled threat to keep them quiet.

His arrest came after one of his victims talked to police after learning Cole was being honored by the Boy Scouts.

Shortly before he was sentenced, Cole announced he would set up a trust fund to help the victims of his actions. However, at least four civil suits were filed in the case.