Woman allegedly held captive at Ellsworth resort

Michael Palmatier
HANCOCK COUNTY JAIL

ELLSWORTH — A New York man was arrested around noon on Jan. 8 after allegedly holding a 64-year-old New York woman hostage in a room at Acadia Village Resort, according to Ellsworth Police Capt. Troy Bires.

“He basically was holding her hostage in there, assaulting her,” Bires said. “She was able to make contact with an employee,” who then called police.

Sixty-three-year-old Michael Palmatier was charged with assault, aggravated assault, kidnapping, gross sexual assault, obstruction, criminal threatening and violation of a protection order.

“She had a protection order against him in New York,” Bires said, “for similar (behavior), not quite as extreme as what went on up here.”

The woman is in a wheelchair, said Bires, and recently had surgery for cancer.

“She’s pretty much dependent on him to get around.”

The victim, whose name was not released, was taken to Northern Light Maine Coast Hospital.

“There were some visible facial injuries,” Bires said.

Bires said he did not know how long the two had been in Ellsworth and that the investigation is ongoing.

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Kate Cough

Kate covers the city of Ellsworth, including the Ellsworth School Department and the city police beat, as well as the towns of Amherst, Aurora, Eastbrook, Great Pond, Mariaville, Osborn, Otis and Waltham. She lives in Southwest Harbor and welcomes story tips and ideas. She can be reached at [email protected]

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