November 24, 2024
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Rape, kidnapping suspect to be held without bail

BELFAST – Kidnapping and rape suspect William Rankin, 39, of Lincolnville decided not to contest the state’s request that he be held without bail after being charged with cocaine possession last month.

The bail matter was addressed when Rankin appeared in Waldo County Superior Court on Thursday.

At the time of his arrest, Rankin was on $700,000 bail on charges of kidnapping, aggravated assault, gross sexual assault, assault, terrorizing and violation of bail conditions.

The charges stem from an incident in Lincolnville last August during which Rankin allegedly raped and assaulted a woman he had imprisoned against her will. At the time of the attack, Rankin was on bail for a previous assault on the same woman.

Conditions of his bail required that Rankin refrain from further criminal activity. Rankin was arrested at the Big Apple Store on Searsport Avenue in Belfast last month, and police said he was in possession of 6 grams of cocaine, a half-smoked marijuana cigarette and $1,400 cash.

Along with asking Superior Court Justice Nancy Mills to order Rankin be held without bail when he appeared in court Thursday, Deputy District Attorney Leane Zania asked the judge to order the forfeiture of real estate that was put up as surety to obtain his release last year.

Rankin’s attorney, Eric Morse of Rockland, said he found Zania’s request “problematic.” Morse argued that Rankin’s parents and friend should not be forced to lose their home because of an “unrelated misdemeanor.”

Justice Mills replied that the bail documents stated clearly that further criminal activity would be subject for forfeiture.

“The idea that you can possess cocaine and that shouldn’t put the sureties at risk, I’m not buying that at all,” said Mills.

Rankin’s father, Robert Rankin of Lincolnville, told Mills he never would have signed the papers had he known he might lose his home. He said he thought bail only required a person to appear and that committing crimes would not be a violation.

“If I’d known there was a law like that, I wouldn’t bail myself out,” Rankin’s father told the judge.

Justice Mills ordered Rankin held without bail and decided to delay making a ruling on the forfeiture matter. She said Rankin’s trial on the kidnapping and other charges would take place in July.


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