This story has been updated.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence and would like to talk with an advocate, call 866-834-4357, TTY 1-800-437-1220. This free, confidential service is available 24/7 and is accessible from anywhere in Maine.
HOULTON, Maine — Houlton’s town manager was arrested Thursday on charges related to an alleged domestic assault. He was apparently taken into custody shortly after a meeting with Gov. Janet Mills, who was visiting the town at the time, but the events were unrelated.
Cameron Clark, 27, of New Limerick, was arrested by the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office on charges of domestic violence assault and tampering with a witness, according to Aroostook County Jail Commander Lawrence Goff. The tampering charge is a felony in Maine.
For now, the Town Council will keep Clark in the role of town manager as his case makes its way through court, according to Council Chair Jane Torres.
Clark could not immediately be reached for comment.
On Monday, Sept. 22, the sheriff’s office received a report of an alleged domestic violence assault that occurred 10 days earlier, according to Sheriff Peter Johnson. A criminal court complaint alleges that between Sept. 11 and 13, Clark intentionally, knowingly or recklessly caused bodily injury or offensive physical contact to a female victim in New Limerick.
During the same timeframe, when Clark believed that there was a pending investigation, he allegedly “induced or attempted to induce the victim to withhold testimony, information or evidence,” according to the criminal complaint.
Sheriff’s deputy Benjamin Boutilier obtained an arrest warrant on Thursday, following an investigation into the allegations against Clark. According to the sheriff’s office, Clark was arrested without incident and booked into the Aroostook County Jail at 1:36 p.m. After posting bail, he was released at 4:49 p.m.
On Thursday, Mills met with business and community leaders in Presque Isle and Houlton to talk about economic development, workforce growth and revitalization efforts in Aroostook County, as part of a series of visits she has been making around the state in recent weeks.
Around noon, the governor visited downtown Houlton, where she met at the County Co-op & Farm Store with Clark, community leader Fred Grant and members of the Houlton Gateway Ambassadors, a volunteer group that promotes the region.
According to the governor’s office, Clark attended a portion of the downtown Houlton tour, but excused himself close to 1 p.m.
“The governor left Houlton just before 1:30 p.m,” said Anthony Ronzio, a spokesperson for Mills.
Mills has long spoken up for victims of domestic violence and on several occasions has shared her personal experience as one of them.
The witness tampering charge against Clark was a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The domestic violence charge is a Class D misdemeanor.
Clark was appointed town manager in Houlton earlier this year after Jeremy Smith unexpectedly resigned from the role in December 2024. He was initially appointed interim town manager in January, then officially appointed in April.
In the eight months since then, Houlton has come under fire in several ways, including from residents concerned about the town’s controversial surveillance camera system. The town has spent most of its annual legal budget defending itself against court appeals from two residents who have sought records from the town, and First Amendment experts have questioned the constitutionality of a new public comment procedure for Town Council meetings.
According to Torres, Clark will maintain his position with the town. The council will monitor the situation and reassess his employment status as the court makes its decision regarding the charges, she said.
“The Council acknowledges that the charges brought against Mr. Clark are of a personal nature,” Torres said. “In accordance with the law, which states that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the Council believes that these matters will be appropriately addressed and resolved through the legal process.”
A court hearing on the matter is slated for 1 p.m., Oct. 7 in Houlton.
