AUGUSTA — A Sidney man whose home was raided last April as part of an investigation into alleged sex trafficking made an initial court appearance Tuesday but did not enter any pleas on the charges.

Frederick Horne Sr., 47, faces three counts of sex trafficking and one of marijuana trafficking, all misdemeanors, as well as one felony count of unlawful possession of oxycodone.

He was represented in Kennebec County Superior Court on Tuesday by attorney Scott Hess and told the judge he would be asking for a court-appointed attorney. He is due in court again Sept. 30.

Justice Michaela Murphy agreed to District Attorney Maeghan Maloney’s request that Horne’s bail be set at $1,000 unsecured. Conditions of bail prohibit Horne from having contact with the women alleged as victims in the sex trafficking counts.

Horne is accused of promoting prostitution Feb. 10-April 10 at his Sidney residence.

Horne’s West River Road property, the site of Adam & Eve escort service, was raided by police April 10. Police were armed with a search warrant and seeking evidence of sex trafficking and also welfare fraud, according to an affidavit by Maine State Trooper Christopher Crawford. Crawford indicated that Horne had been investigated over the past two years at different locations.

As a result of the raid, Horne and his son, Frederick Horne Jr., 19, were initially summoned to Waterville District Court on one sex trafficking charge each.

This story will be updated.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @betadams

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