FARMINGTON — A Jay man is accused of sexually assaulting a Franklin County girl eight months ago.

Ralph O. Metcalf, 32, was arrested on Friday on a charge of gross sexual assault, Franklin County Sheriff’s Detective David St. Laurent said Monday.

The Franklin County District Attorney’s Office received a referral from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services on the case, he said.

A representative of the Phillips Elementary School made the referral to the state agency after information was received on an alleged assault, St. Laurent said.

The Sheriff’s Department and state Protective Services conducted a joint investigation.

After interviews were conducted with all parties, St. Laurent and Deputy Sandy Burke arrested Metcalf outside of his workplace in Jay, St. Laurent said.

Metcalf was taken to Franklin County jail in Farmington. He posted $5,000 unsecured bail to be released Friday. He is scheduled to appear on July 22 at a Farmington court.

dperry@sunjournal.com