Andrew Demers
Andrew Demers Jr., 74, of New Gloucester is expected to be sentenced immediately after his plea in the Cumberland County Courthouse in Portland before Justice Thomas Warren at 2 p.m.
Demers' attorney, Walter McKee, and Cumberland County District Attorney Stephanie Anderson confirmed last month that they had reached a plea agreement, but neither of them would release details other than to say the sentence will be contested.
As part of the plea agreement, the more serious Class A felony charge of gross sexual assault is expected to be dismissed in exchange for Demers' plea to the lesser charge.
Unlawful sexual contact is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Demers could have faced up to 30 years on the Class A felony had he not reached a plea agreement.
McKee said sentencing will follow a full hearing, with character witnesses expected to testify, sentencing arguments by the lawyers and background related to the case against Demers.
While McKee may argue for a lighter sentence and Anderson may argue for more strict punishment, the judge will have the final say under terms of the agreement.
Demers has remained free on $5,000 bail since his arrest March 17. He pleaded not guilty on April 16 to a two-count indictment charging him with gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce has said that Demers admitted to assaulting the child multiple times.
State police first received a tip about the alleged crimes March 10 and referred the matter to the district attorney, who asked the sheriff's office to investigate. The District Attorney's Office and McKee arranged for Demers to turn himself in at the county jail.
Demers, named a Legendary Trooper in 2003, served 26 years with the state police and held the department's top position from 1987 to 1993, when he retired.
when a COP gets to plead out to a lesser charge and gets a diminished sentence. And 'short eyes' don't do well in prison so he may not go to jail at all...