SKOWHEGAN – The Somerset County grand jury indicted a Fairfield man on charges that he beat his 4-month-old puppy to death in July.

James Mayhew, 25, was indicted Wednesday on a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

District Attorney Evert Fowle said Thursday that evidence indicated “the beating of this dog had gone on for some time,” and that Mayhew acted with a “depraved indifference to animal life.”

Fowle added that his office vigorously pursues cases of this nature because he said people who exhibit violence toward animals are often a threat toward human beings as well.

Mayhew’s dog, a husky-wolf mix, died July 31. An autopsy by a veterinarian revealed the dog had a broken rib, a severely bruised lung, bruised muscles, a blood clot and excessive blood in its lungs.

A Winthrop man was indicted Wednesday on charges that he knowingly promoted prostitution of a person under 18 after he arranged a meeting with her over the Internet.

Dexter Newbury, 42, is charged with aggravated promotion of prostitution, sexual abuse of a minor and attempted sexual abuse of a minor.

Fowle said Newbury allegedly chatted with a 14-year-old girl online, made plans to meet her in person, then tried to pay her $60 for sexual favors, Fowle said.

Also indicted Wednesday were:

Brian Woodbury, 32, Vassalboro, assault, reckless conduct with use of a dangerous weapon.

Edward McGuire, 45, Embden, eluding an officer, passing a roadblock, operating under the influence.

Kurt Morgridge, 29, Portland, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, eluding an officer, operating under the influence, criminal speeding, reckless conduct.

Ivan Brown, 34, Madison, eluding an officer, passing a roadblock, operating after revocation, operating under the influence.

Norman Cere, 49, Livermore Falls, burglary, theft.

Robert Hiett, 37, burglary, theft.

Abel Daigle, 25, Skowhegan, assault.

Robert Burt, 30, Pittsfield, assault.

Brandon Sherwood, 20, Skowhegan, burglary of motor vehicle, theft.

Christopher Bryson, 30, Pittsfield, unlawful sexual contact.

Danielle M. Greene, 38, Skowhegan, theft by deception.

Jared D. Bouchard, 22, Fairfield, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, trafficking in scheduled drugs, possession of scheduled drugs.

John Frankenfield, 36, Skowhegan, theft, misuse of entrusted property.

James Wildes, 19, Madison, robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery.