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	Ex-Minister Has Sex-Abuse Claim Dropped by DA By Betty Jespersen Morning Sentinel June 25, 2007 http://morningsentinel.mainetoday.com/news/local/4030323.html Wilton — Sex-abuse charges against an 81-year old former minister from Wilton who was scheduled to go to trial today have been dropped for lack of evidence, the Franklin County assistant district attorney said Friday. Alton Walston was charged with attempted unlawful sexual contact, a felony, in June 2006 and was indicted by a Franklin County grand jury in November. "During the final investigation whn we were preparing for trial, new information came to life," said Assistant District Attorney Andrew Robinson. He said as a result of the new evidence, the state was no longer confident Walston could be prosecuted beyond a reasonable doubt. "My client is very relieved," said Walston's attorney, Janet T. Mills. "He has insisted from day one that he is innocent. The boy's statements were inconsistent and never rang true. It is unfortunate that the boy tried to take advantage of an old man." She said the boy had left the state with his parents and had recently returned and it was then he was interviewed personally by the district attorney and the charges dismissed. "The news made such a big splash when it came out and my client was being made a scapegoat," she said. The alleged incident occurred in June 2006 at a supper at The First Apostolic Church on U. S. Route 2 where Walston's wife, Sharon, is now the pastor. The boy alleged Walston attempted to sexually touch him in a church office after telling the boy to pray with him. Last fall, Robinson said the boy disclosed information to his school bus driver that made her suspicious enough to report her concerns to the Maine Department of Human Services. The case was referred to the county's sexual abuse investigator, Detective David St. Laurent who questioned the boy and then arrested Walston. In 2004, Walston was charged with felony unlawful sexual contact with a girl under the age of 12. He was charged after a negotiated plea, pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of unlawful sexual touching. He was sentenced to 364 days in jail, all suspended, and one-year probation. Because it was a misdemeanor, he was not required to file as a sex offender with the state, according to police. Mills said that case was also weak since the girl refused to testify. Betty Jespersen — 778-6991 bjespersen@centralmaine.com
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