FARMINGTON — A former Phillips man pleaded guilty Monday to sexually molesting two girls under age 14.
Michael Harriman, 28, pleaded guilty to two felony charges of unlawful sexual contact in separate cases in Franklin County Superior Court.
A conviction is punishable by a up to 10 years in prison and $20,000 fine.
The state agreed to dismiss other felonies, including gross sexual assault and aggravated assault. Harriman was indicted in September 2017 and January 2018.
The abuse occurred Sept. 1, 2017, for one child and from Jan. 19, 2015, to January 2017 for the other child.
If the cases went to trial, testimony would have shown Harriman became friendly and exhibited other conduct that is commonly acknowledged as grooming behavior over time, Deputy District James Andrew said.
Harriman will be sentenced May 29, allowing the victims and others to submit statements.
The recommendation is for a 10-year sentence to the Department of Corrections with all but three years suspended, followed by four years of probation for each charge. The sentences will be served at the same time.
They will be served after Harriman completes an Androscoggin County sentence connected to burglary and a theft conviction when he lived in Lisbon. The state revoked his probation on that case earlier this year.
dperry@sunmediagroup.net
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