BANGOR – Police arrested a local man over the weekend after he reportedly was caught in the act of committing a sex crime on a 7-year-old boy.

John C. Eastman, 56, of Bangor was arrested late Saturday and charged with gross sexual assault, unlawful sexual contact and carrying a concealed weapon, Bangor police Sgt. Paul Kenison said Tuesday. Eastman posted bail shortly after his arrest and did not make an initial court appearance, but he likely will be indicted officially on the charges by a Penobscot County grand jury.

Kenison said the boy’s stepmother called police Saturday after another family member caught Eastman performing a sex act on the boy at a Bangor residence. The sergeant declined to reveal where that residence was, who lived there or how Eastman was acquainted with the alleged victim or the stepmother.

After speaking with the stepmother, police tracked Eastman to a vehicle that was parked outside his apartment on Hammond Street. He first was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon when police found a handgun in his car. After detectives questioned him about the alleged assault, Eastman was charged with the sex crimes as well, Kenison said.

The man does not have a significant history, at least in the state of Maine, according to Kenison. Gross sexual assault is a Class A crime punishable by up to 30 years in prison.

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