Bail revoked for dance instructor

FARMINGTON – A 19-year-old dance instructor, awaiting trial on a charge of possessing pornographic material of children, had his bail revoked today in Franklin County Superior Court.

Keith R. Nadeau of Biddeford, was a student at the University of Maine at Farmington in December 2007 when, according to the chief of UMF’s Department of Safety, he showed another student material, involving a child younger than 12, which was pornographic in nature. He was charged with possessing sexually explicit material of a minor, a Class C felony. Nadeau was released on an unsecured $3,000 bail bond. The contract also included a provision that he have no contact, either direct or indirect, with children beneath the age of 17.

In the months following the Dec. 17 arrest, Nadeau’s bail was amended; first to allow him use of a computer to complete his college course work online, and later to have supervised incidental contact with children. This second amendment was to allow Nadeau to help out at a children’s summer dance camp.

Nadeau has worked at the four-day summer camp, called “It’s Showtime Folks,” for years. The camp is held at the Winthrop High School and is for children of six years and up. The director, Debra Lombard, was aware of the pending charge, and submitted a letter to the District Attorney’s Office and court stating that she was aware and wanted Nadeau to be able to work at the camp.

On July 24, when the camp was is session, a 13-year-old Augusta boy said that Nadeau asked him to come into the locker room and allegedly masturbated in front of him. The boy then said he fled the room and told his parents. His mother then alerted the Winthrop Police Department.

The police department interviewed the boy, his parents and Nadeau. Officer Paul Ferland then arrested Nadeau and charged him with visual sexual aggression, a Class D misdemeanor, and violating the conditions of his release. Nadeau then posted a $5,000 cash bail bond and was released. He has since pleaded not guilty to the new charges in Kennebec County District Court.

Today, Nadeau’s attorney Kevin Joyce did not argue the revocation, instead asked to possibly be heard at a later date on the issue.

“At this time,” Joyce said, “we’re waiving argument.”

Justice Michaela Murphy revoked Nadeau’s pre-conviction bail bond. He will remain in custody until his trial for the alleged Dec. 2007 incident. Kennebec County District Attorney Evert Fowle, whose office is bringing the Winthrop charges, said he was pleased by today’s outcome.

“I’m glad to hear his bail was revoked,” Fowle said. “We’ve been in contact with District Attorney Crouteau and his office, coordinating this together. These allegations are misdemeanors, but they are very serious nonetheless.”