LEWISTON — William Heiser, 61, of Lewiston has been charged with gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact, both felony crimes.

According to a written statement issued by Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster, Heiser was arrested last Thursday at his home in Lewiston by Somerset County Detective Jeremy Leal.

The case came to the attention of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office by the Vermont Department of Health and Human Services.

According to Lancaster’s statement, Vermont DHHS reported that a 16-year-old victim, who lives in Vermont, had disclosed to a school mental health clinician that she was sexually assaulted between 2009 and 2012 in the town of Pittsfield, Maine.

Leal worked with the Lewiston Police Department to identify and locate Heiser. During an interview in Lewiston Heiser confessed, according to Lancaster.

A warrant was issued for Heiser ‘s arrest, and he was transported to Somerset County Jail.

According to Lancaster, his office is working with the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office as the case is being reviewed for prosecution and potential additional charges. 

Heiser was arraigned in the Somerset County District Court on Monday. He is being held on $250,000 cash bail, according to Lancaster’s statement.

Bail stipulations require Heiser have no contact with the victim and no child under the age of 16.

If convicted, Heiser faces up to 30 years in jail on the sex assault charge, and 10 years for unlawful contact.

William Heiser