A former Wells man was convicted of child sex abuse charges in federal court in Portland on Thursday.

William Gaudet, 51, was found guilty, after a four-day trial in U.S. District Court, of interstate transporation of a minor to engage in criminal sexual activity and interstate travel with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

According to court records and trial evidence, Gaudet twice in 2010 traveled between Maine and Pennsylvania with an 8-year-old child, intending to engage in sexual activity with her. On both occasions, he sexually assaulted the child. The investigation began in 2014 after the child reported the abuse.

Gaudet was convicted in 2012 in New Hampshire Superior Court for sexually assaulting another minor in 2001 and 2005.

He faces between 10 years and life in prison on the transportation charge and up to 30 years in prison on the travel charge, plus a fine of up to $250,000 fine on each count.

He will be sentenced at a later date.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.

filed under: