Sexual Assault Charges Filed Against Lincoln Resident After 2025 Report

A 36-year-old from Lincoln was taken into custody Wednesday by the Piscataquis County Sheriff's Office. He's been charged with several counts of Sexual Assault.

According to the Lincoln Police Department, James DeLong has been charged with one count of Gross Sexual Assault and two counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact stemming from allegations made last year of alleged abuse from over a decade ago.

"The alleged offenses occurred more than 10 years ago and were reported to the Lincoln Police Department in 2025. Following an extensive investigation, an arrest warrant was issued for DeLong...The Lincoln Police Department recognizes Detective Stuart Jacobs for the significant time and effort he devoted to this investigation...The investigation was assisted by the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services."

Authorities say Penobscot County Assistant DA Chelsea Lynds was a big help with the investigation, as well.

DeLong was taken to the Piscataquis County Jail and will remain there until he makes his first court appearance.

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According to the State of Maine website, there are statutes of limitations on most crimes which fall between 3 and six years.

" Class A, Class B, or Class C crime must be commenced within 6 years after it is committed, and a prosecution for a Class D or Class E crime must be commenced within 3 years after it is committed."

There are exceptions, however, which include prosecution for murder or criminal homicide in the first or second degree or if the victim was a minor at the time of the crime, and was involved with one of the following situations:

"... incest; unlawful sexual contact; sexual abuse of a minor; rape or gross sexual assault, formerly denominated as gross sexual misconduct; unlawful sexual touching; or sexual exploitation of a minor."

The state also makes exceptions for the prosecution of a Class A, Class B, or Class C crime involving unlawful sexual contact or gross sexual assault, or a prosecution for a Class A or Class B crime involving aggravated sex trafficking. Those crimes must be brought forward within 20 years after they are committed.