DIXMONT – A teenager was charged with aggravated assault Monday after an argument led to a stabbing at an old farmhouse on Simpson Corners Road in Dixmont.

Michael Merchant, 19, of Hampden and two other teenagers whose names were not released, had gathered inside a residence on Simpson Corners Road (Route 143) early Monday afternoon. The homeowner, who also was not identified, reportedly had not given them permission to be there, according to Sgt. William Sheehan of the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.

An employee of the homeowner, who was doing excavating work near the house, noticed the young men inside and went to ask them to leave.

“A verbal altercation ensued, which then turned physical, and the employee was stabbed,” the sergeant said, identifying the weapon as a kitchen knife. It wasn’t clear where the stabbing occurred.

The victim, a man in his 40s, suffered a single stab wound to the chest, but was not seriously injured. He was taken by ambulance to Sebasticook Valley Hospital in Pittsfield and was released early Monday evening, Sheehan said.

Several sheriff’s deputies went to the scene around 2 p.m. after dispatchers received 911 calls.”We initially had concerns because we knew there were firearms in the residence,” Sheehan said, adding that the firearms were secured shortly after deputies arrived. “They were where they were supposed to be.”

Sheehan indicated that the homeowner’s girlfriend may have given the three young men permission to be inside the house, but there was apparently some kind of miscommunication between the woman and the homeowner. Neither the homeowner nor girlfriend was present.

It wasn’t clear what led the argument to turn violent.

Around 3:30 p.m., six police cruisers were parked outside the white-and-green home, which sits back about 40 feet from the road and is shielded by large maple trees. One young man, later identified as Merchant, was handcuffed to a metal lawn chair in the driveway. Another sat on the front lawn nearby. The third leaned against one of the police cruisers.

Sheehan said all three teenagers were interviewed about what happened and all were cooperative. Eventually, Merchant was charged with aggravated assault, a Class B felony, although he was not arrested. The two other teenagers were not charged and are not expected to be, according to Sheehan.

Merchant will make his initial court appearance in October.

erussell@bangordailynews.net

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