Rape suspect to be held without bail

ELLSWORTH – A man accused last week of raping a female friend will remain at Hancock County Jail for at least a month until a probation revocation hearing can be held.

Scott Oakes, 27, of Hancock made his initial appearance Monday in Hancock County Superior Court on charges that he violated his probation from a previous conviction.

Oakes also is expected to face an additional charge of Class A gross sexual assault, a felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison, for an incident that took place New Year’s Eve.

Oakes, who did not have an attorney with him Monday, denied the new charges.

Assistant District Attorney William Entwisle requested that bail be denied, saying Oakes has a lengthy criminal history and his recent behavior exhibited a particularly violent tendency.

Superior Court Justice Kevin Cuddy agreed and ruled that Oakes be held without bail pending a hearing, which tentatively has been set for Feb. 15.

Oakes is believed to have violated his probation on Jan. 1, when he allegedly forced a female acquaintance to perform sex acts after a New Year’s Eve gathering. The 17-year-old girl told police that the two had consensual sex but that Oakes then forced her to perform a sex act and repeatedly hit her on the buttocks with a belt.

Oakes maintained that he and the girl, who had a casual sexual relationship, often used a belt during sex and that the sex was consensual.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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