ELLSWORTH – An Oregon man arrested last month at a local motel and charged with violating an Oregon protection order now faces federal charges.

Frederick C. Staehle, 42, whose last known address was in Oregon, was arrested on Jan. 23 after Ellsworth police confirmed that the state of Oregon had issued a protection order prohibiting contact between Staehle and his wife and their two children.

The woman and children had been traveling across the country with Staehle since October and were staying with him at a local motel.

Staehle was charged in U.S. District Court in Bangor after the case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s office by the Hancock County district attorney. He was charged under a law that makes it a federal crime to cross state lines with an individual named in a protection order with the intent of violating that protection order.

According to U.S. Attorney James L. McCarthy, part of the reason for that law is to expedite prosecution of those who do cross state lines and violate protection orders.

“While states sometimes make it a violation to be in Maine in violation of a protective order, which was the original charge in Ellsworth, it can be difficult and expensive for the state to prosecute that case,” McCarthy said.

The state potentially would have to bring in witnesses from the state that issued the protection order, which, depending upon the case, could become expensive.

“The federal system makes it a lot easier to prosecute,” McCarthy said.

Staehle has an extensive criminal history that includes a 1984 murder conviction in Louisiana, and assault, armed robbery, drug charges and a number of domestic violence charges.

When confronted at the Ellsworth motel, he resisted arrest and officers used a Taser gun on a low charge to subdue him.

McCarthy has filed a motion for detention which, if granted, would hold Staehle in custody without bail until his case was resolved. In his motion, McCarthy cited Staehle as a serious flight risk. A detention hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 14 in U.S. District Court.

If found guilty, Staehle would face up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

rhewitt@bangordailynews.net

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