Biddeford police department assists in search for Massachusetts sex offender

PORTLAND — A Massachusetts man wanted on a warrant for assault, kidnapping and rape charges was arrested in Norway, Maine, according to an announcement on Monday from The U.S. Marshals Service, Maine Violent Offender Task Force. {{more}]

John Bastian, 64, was sought by the Massachusetts State Police and Lynn, Massachusetts Police Department on a warrant issued on Sept. 2 by the Lynn District Court. The charges on the warrant were indecent assault and battery on person with intellectual disability, kidnapping, enticement of a child under 16, and rape of a child with force.

Through a collaborative effort, investigators determined that Bastian had left Massachusetts and was believed to be in the central Maine area. U.S. Marshals Service Task Force members from Maine and Massachusetts were able to safely apprehend Bastian at an address in Norway, Maine without incident.

Bastian is charged as a fugitive from justice pending his extradition back to Massachusetts.

Bastian is a registered sex offender in Massachusetts stemming from a 1998 conviction.

The USMS Maine Violent Offender Task Force was assisted by the USMS District of Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Police, and the Lynn Police Department. The U.S. Marshals Service Maine Violent Offender Task Force is comprised of members of the U.S. Marshals Service, Maine State Police, Maine Department of Corrections, Biddeford Police Department and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.