FARMINGTON — A Phillips man was arrested Thursday on a Franklin County Sheriff’s Department warrant charging two counts of gross sexual assault against a girl younger than 15.

William W. Sylvester, 40, turned himself in at the Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said Friday.

Lt. David St. Laurent began an investigation in May after police received a Maine Department of Health and Human Services referral, Nichols said.

Sylvester was being held at the Franklin County jail on $5,000 cash bail Friday morning.

Each charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine, if Sylvester is convicted.

dperry@sunjournal.com