PORTLAND, Maine (WMTW) - Portland police say two women reported being drugged while drinking in the Old Port.
According to a statement released by the police department on Monday July 17, the two women’s reports were compiled by officers on Thursday, July 13.
Officials say the women believed they were drugged while drinking at the same business, which has not been named by investigators. Surveillance video is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
“In these types of incidents, victims report they suddenly feel extremely impaired and that it’s not consistent with the amount of alcohol they consumed,” the statement reads. Police warned that victims will become disoriented, nauseous, and may have no memory following the incident.
WMTW is working to learn more, particularly where in the Old Port this occurred, and whether the women received medical care and testing to determine what drugs may have been used.
As the investigation continues, police ask residents to “watch out for each other” — and when going out, do so with friends. “There is safety in numbers,” the statement reads.
Other tips from police include:
- Never leave your drink unattended.
- Don’t accept a drink from someone you don’t know. If you do accept a drink, make sure to order it yourself, watch the bartender pour it, and have them hand it directly to you.
- Watch out for each other. There is safety in numbers.
- If you suspect that you or someone you’re with has been drugged, seek immediate medical care and make sure the medical staff tests for drugs.
State Dismisses Charges of Sexual Abuse Against Former Deputy
Former Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy Kenneth L. Hatch III will not face a second trial on 20 felony counts of sexual abuse and giving drugs to minors, but is unlikely to work in law enforcement again under the terms of a plea deal reached Friday, Jan. 26.
Hatch, 47, of Whitefield, pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of providing a place for minors to consume alcohol in exchange for the dismissal of the 20 felony counts: two counts of class B unlawful sexual contact, 10 counts of class C sexual abuse of minors, seven counts of class C aggravated furnishing in schedule Z drugs (marijuana), and one count of class C unlawful sexual contact.
Hatch entered the plea to the misdemeanor – filed the day before in Lincoln County Superior Court – before Maine Superior Court Justice William R. Stokes in Knox County Superior Court.
Stokes dismissed the 20 counts with prejudice, meaning Hatch cannot be tried on them again, and assessed the mandatory $1,000 fine.
Assistant Attorney General John Risler, the prosecutor, asked for a 10-day suspended sentence, but Stokes said that was not an option and did not sentence Hatch to any jail time.
In November, jurors in Kennebec County found Hatch not guilty of one count each of sexual abuse of a minor and furnishing marijuana to a minor, but deadlocked on the other 20 charges.
Hatch had been accused of sexually abusing three girls under the age of 16, sometimes in his cruiser while on duty; abusing one of the girls when she was 6; and providing marijuana to one of the girls.
“He agreed to accept the misdemeanor for furnishing a place for minors to consume alcohol because he agreed to let his kids drink alcohol on his property, and obviously he knew other kids were there,” Hatch’s attorney, Richard Elliott, said Thursday, Jan. 25. “He thought it would be safer to do it on his property than for them to be out driving around.”
Two of the three girls named as victims in the case told Stokes they were angry and disappointed about the resolution of the case. But Stokes said the jury was “excellent” and had been “very severe(ly) deadlocked.” He said a new trial would have been “very difficult.”
Because Hatch has been convicted of a misdemeanor, he will lose his certification from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
Risler said following the sentencing that the likelihood of convincing another jury of guilt beyond a possible doubt was small.
“The option I had to protect the people of Maine was to remove his ability to serve in law enforcement,” Risler said. “When he loses his certification from the criminal justice academy, it’s very unlikely he would ever be able to serve in law enforcement outside of Maine (either).”
Maine Attorney General Janet Mills released a statement about the case after the hearing.
“We support the victims, these brave survivors. We believe them,” Mills said. “Unfortunately, the jury did not find beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Hatch was guilty of these crimes. Fortunately, he will never work in law enforcement again.
“Now we must all work harder than ever to prevent this conduct from occurring in the first place. We must change the culture so that no one feels afraid to speak up, no one is coerced or intimidated into having sex without consent, and no one feels they can use a position of power or authority to prey on others who are younger or less powerful than they.
“We applaud the women in this case for speaking up and only regret that the jury did not convict Mr. Hatch and that significant legal issues prevented a retrial.” " end of email.
7/10/23 5:30 pm. Seems to be allowing my freedom to post. I was also able to finally access my email and send this message to Laurie's List including Stevens.
7/10/23 New Sign of Shame, Shame, Shame. Prior MPBN VP Danger Neighbor Charles Beck's house is in the rear in ladder picture below. Creepy beyond words. I make do with house items. Hammond lumber is another abuser to my life. Going anywhere is open season for me. All hands on her.
Emailed to list adding Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken President, his staff and rapist Dr. Donald Lombardi. See below post email thread. Over 1 of emails history of Belfast to "State"of Maine to MaineHealth corruption to Professor Lombardi drug raping me in 1/1982. I outed him after Cosby was exposed of the same in 2014. After that is when all forces of inhumanity poured in. To protect rape for profit and fear. Up and down their ladder of power, horror and their sickness.
The raped get arrested. The connected rapists bring in profits for JustUs and enablers. First hand rape from Dr. Donald Lombardi, guru of system rape management to MaineHealth, "State", Waldo County, Belfast... RAPE RINGTONES. NEXT.
7/3/23 They continue hacking. Freezing the screen. I have been cruising downtown Belfast with my Hillbilly signs. EllieMae is proud. I try. I cry.
Make sure to get to the bottom for my FULL email to Waldo County Senate Chip Curry.
No response from Chip. That's his choice. Ditto from all officials. Guilty of their sick system of JustUs. Deadly to expose. I duck and weave. Dead Mom Talking. No more walking. 13 years of documenting "State" of InHuMaine. Getting dragged into mob mentality by officials. Sure to silence one little Laurie Allen. Over my dead body. Life seasoned of liars with power to hurt. I do choke back tears if I have to explain to strangers. So much pain, how can so many do this. Not a question, JustUs. Shhh, don't tell. Or else. All together now. Git 'er.
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