Old Orchard Beach Police charge Shapleigh man with sexual abuse of a minor

Maine Man Arrested on Gross Sexual Assault Charge After Attempting to Meet Minor

A 28‑year‑old man has been taken into custody on multiple felony charges, including gross sexual assault, after police said he tried to meet a minor with whom he had been in sexual contact for several months.

The suspect, Kenneth Pirkola of Maine, was arrested following an investigation by the state’s law‑enforcement agency. Authorities say Pirkola had been communicating with a minor—details of which remain confidential—through phone calls and text messages. On the day of the arrest, police reported that Pirkola attempted to arrange an in‑person meeting with the minor.

Under Maine’s criminal statutes, gross sexual assault is a felony that can carry a sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The charges filed against Pirkola also include other counts related to sexual misconduct with a minor, though the exact nature and number of the additional charges have not yet been fully disclosed.

Pirkola was booked into the county jail and is currently held on bail. The prosecution has indicated that a preliminary hearing will be scheduled soon, and the case is expected to move to trial if the evidence supports it. A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office stated that the office is committed to protecting children and ensuring that justice is served.

The victim in this case is a minor, and law‑enforcement officials are protecting the identity of the young person involved. No further details about the victim’s identity or circumstances have been released to the public.

The case remains under active investigation. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.