PARIS — Police said a Rumford man was arrested over the weekend for hitting a man in the head with a baseball bat during an argument over drug money in Rumford.

James Calder, 30, made an initial appearance in 11th District Court on Monday afternoon on charges of felony aggravated assault and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

On March 12, police went to a Waldo Street residence after a witness reported seeing a man being struck in the head with a baseball bat and stagger down the street.

The victim told police he was arguing earlier in the day with two men over late payments for marijuana, according to an affidavit by Rumford police Sgt. Tracey Higley. Later that day, two men drove up behind the victim walking down the street, got out of a car and got into a verbal argument that escalated into a physical fight when the victim made a racial slur against Calder, who is black. 

Higley said the victim was bleeding heavily from a seven-inch gash from his eye to across his forehead. The victim told police Calder hit him, though Calder told police another man was responsible, according to Higley. Calder signed a witness statement denying the assault, which he attributed to another man, who has not been charged. 

During the investigation, witnesses reported seeing Calder get out of the car with a small bat and strike the victim once in the head, Higley said.

On Saturday, Calder told Higley he lied on his witness statement and did confront the victim, though Calder denied hitting him with the bat.

Calder was arrested later that day.

If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. The charges are elevated because he has prior assault and terrorizing convictions from 8th District Court in Lewiston. 

Bail was set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 real estate. 

ccrosby@sunmediagroup.net