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University of Maine student William Diemer has been summonsed by the UMaine Department of Public Safety on charges of cruelty to animals and criminal trespassing, two Class D misdemeanor crimes, for sexually assaulting a horse at Witter Farm.
The 20-year-old, of Old Town, was charged for an incident that occurred Sept. 20 at approximately 10 p.m., according to UMaine Police Chief Noel March. A Witter Farm staff member arrived at the farm for a nightly barn check and to feed the horses. The staff member saw a person inside a stall with a horse. The perpetrator fled and ran into the woods behind the farm, March said. The staff member was unable to identify the suspect.
UMaine police and Maine State Police were immediately dispatched to the scene. State police used a K-9 unit to search for the suspect. The search led to Old Town but ended up without a capture of the suspect.
UMaine’s recently installed hi-tech surveillance cameras located at Witter Farm captured some visual evidence. March said the cameras were installed by the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture shortly after a previous assault on a horse at the end of May. The college’s director, Bruce Wiersma, invested about $12,000 from the college’s budget for the new digital surveillance.
“The investment paid off,” March said. “It was through the surveillance equipment and the cooperation of the public that we were able to learn the identity of Diemer.”
UMaine Public Safety is working with the Penobscot County District Attorney’s Office to formally charge Diemer in court. Diemer’s initial appearance in court is scheduled for Nov. 12.
If convicted, Diemer could face up to one year in jail and/or up to $1,000 in fines for each crime. March said the court might also impose psychological counseling and probation time.
The Sept. 20 incident at Witter Farm was not the first of its kind, but the third incident within the past year.
The first incident occurred on Aug. 5, 2002, followed by the May 2003 assault. Charges have not yet been filed in those cases and Diemer has not been accused of committing those acts.
“Our investigation is continuing to determine whether a connection to the first two incidents can be proven,” March said. “We are comparing what similarities may exist between previous assaults and this incident.”
In each of the three incidents, three separate mare horses were assaulted.
March said he could not comment on what specifically happened to the horse in this third incident, but he said Diemer is currently being held responsible for the event that occurred Sept. 20.
“Although the horses victimized in the first two incidents required medical attention from their assaults, in this case the animal was examined by UMaine veterinarian Dr. Robert Causey and this horse was found to not be in need of medical attention subsequent to this incident,” March said.
Causey was unavailable for comment, as he is out of town.
“Animal abuse is not unheard of, sadly,” March said. “It’s shocking to nearly everyone whether they’re a pet owner or not. Rarely do we hear of abuse of this nature which can be categorized as a sexual assault.”
Kiera Finucane, a member of the horse barn co-op, said the incidents have caused alarm among members of the typically open group.
“I think that this incident is a scary realization for those of us at the Witter Farm. We are a very open and welcoming community and enjoy sharing our animals and education with anyone who is interested.”
Security at Witter Farm has expanded since the second assault, March said.
Nighttime barn checks are no longer done by one individual, but by pairs of staff members. Staff members also carry UMaine Public Safety handheld radios while working. UMaine Public Safety officers, security guards and community service students perform several checks of the farm daily, March said.
“There’s lots of checks up there,” March said. “A lot more than in the past.”
“The fact that we now have to have constant surveillance to ensure our animals are not molested or abused is an unnerving thought,” Finucane said. “Especially since the majority of people who abuse animals eventually ‘progress’ to abuse humans.”
March said proposals have been written requesting an electric fence system for the perimeter of the farm’s outdoor property, which will also be purchased by the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry and Agriculture. March said he considers the approximately $8,000 investment worth it.
“Sadly, just as every other part of the world has concerns with security, that is also true at the University of Maine,” March said. “The way we respond to that fact is by responding to crimes with students, staff and Public Safety all working together and looking out for one another. Being informed and alert and taking the steps necessary to ensure our own safety,” March said.
Bangor Daily News