NEW SHARON — A local man is accused of sexually abusing a girl under 12 years old.

Benjamin Savage, 24, of New Sharon was arrested Wednesday on a felony charge of unlawful sexual contact, according to a new release from Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr.

Franklin County Detective Kenneth Charles had received a referral of a child sexual abuse case June 21, which was alleged to have occurred on Weeks Mills Road in New Sharon, Nichols wrote.

Charles and representatives of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services conducted interviews with witnesses throughout the week.

Savage is being held on $100,000 cash bail at the Franklin County Detention Center in Farmington.

He is expected to go before a judge Friday.

According to the jail’s online booking log, one of his release conditions is to have no contact with children under age 16. 

A conviction on the charge carries a maximum 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000.

Benjamin Savage (Franklin County Detention Center)