Bangor Man Arrested, Accused Of Alleged Sexually Assaulting A Child Under The Age Of 12

A Bangor man was arrested this week, and will appear in court on charges that he sexually assaulted a child under the age of 12 years old in Somerset County more than a decade ago.

Read More: What Parents Need To Know About Online Risks For Kids

According to the Somerset County Sheriff's Department, 36-year-old Robert Kneisner was apprehended, on Wednesday. Based on evidence collected during the investigation, Deputy Stacy Slate with the Somerset County DA's office, with the aid of the Maine Department of Health & Human Services, and the Penquis Children’s Advocacy Center, was able to obtain an arrest warrant for  Kniesner  in connection to an alleged incident that authorities say occurred back in 2015 in Ripley, Maine.

"On Wednesday, May 13, 2026 the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Division received a referral from the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office regarding an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 2015. The investigation was assigned to Deputy Stacey Slate. Deputy Slate’s investigation revealed the alleged sexual assault occurred in Ripley and involved a juvenile under the age of 12. "

Get our free mobile app

Kniesner was arrested in Bangor, and then taken to the Somerset County Jailhouse. His initial appearance at the Somerset County Unified Criminal Court is scheduled for Thursday June 18th.

Read More: Rex Heuermann's Sentencing for Multiple Murders, Including a Maine Woman

Kniesner is being charged with Gross Sexual Assault, which is a Class A crime. His bail has been set at $5,000 cash.

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN for short), the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization and operator of the National Sexual Assault Hotline, the statute of limitations for Gross Sexual Assault Crimes in Maine depends on the circumstances related to the crime.

"If the victim was under age 18 at the time of the commission of the offense, there is no time limit to commence legal proceedings against the perpetrator for this crime."

If the victim was 18 or older at the time of the offense, charges must be brought against the perpetrator within 20 years of when the alleged incidents took place.