Dyer Brook man charged with sex crime

DYER BROOK, Maine — State Police have charged a Dyer Brook man with unlawful sexual touching of a woman he was counseling.
Troopers arrested 65-year-old John Walker at his home at 140 Hillcrest Lane Friday night. Walker had met the 30-year-old woman at the Aroostook County Jail in Houlton where he had clergy visitation rights. The woman was at the jail visiting her boyfriend when she met Walker, according to police.
“Walker may be affiliated with a small church in the area, but it is not clear if he was ever ordained,” said Steve McCausland of the Maine State Police. “Walker was providing the spiritual counseling at his home, where the unwanted advance took place.”
Walker is believed be a pastor at the Oxbow Congregational Church. Attempts to confirm his association with that church were unsuccessful by presstime. Walker is a former baseball coach at Greater Houlton Christian Academy and former teacher at Southern Aroostook Community School.
The woman reported the incident to state police at the Houlton barracks. Detective Mark Sperrey is investigating the case. Walker is free on bail and will make his first appearance in Houlton District Court next month.