Houlton Man, 21, Charged with Kidnapping, Sexual Assault: Latest Update

UPDATE: A 21-year-old man from Houlton, Maine, has been charged with kidnapping and sexual assault and is now under strict monitoring at a care facility in Lewiston. This development follows a judge’s approval of a bail change on Monday.

Caleb Thompson, who is autistic, was arrested on August 22 after family members alerted the Houlton Police Department. They reported suspicions that he had held a young woman with special needs captive for a week at his grandparents’ home on Madigan Street while subjecting her to repeated sexual assaults.

On October 30, an Aroostook County grand jury indicted Thompson on five counts: Class A gross sexual assault, Class A kidnapping, Class D criminal restraint, Class E impersonating a public servant, and Class C unlawful sexual contact. If convicted of the Class A offenses, Thompson faces up to 30 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

Initially, Judge Robert Langner set Thompson’s bail at $5,000 cash, allowing him to be released under 24/7 house arrest with GPS monitoring. However, following a motion for bail modification, he has been temporarily relocated to a supervised home operated by DIRIGO Support Professionals in Lewiston, which offers round-the-clock monitoring.

Police reports reveal harrowing details about the alleged victim’s ordeal, as she communicated via Facebook Messenger with Thompson’s sister. The victim disclosed that Thompson sexually assaulted her, forced her to relieve herself in a closet to avoid detection, and even made her consume her own feces and urine.

Authorities report that for the duration of her captivity, Thompson allegedly withheld food and denied her basic hygiene, including showers. The victim also recounted violent incidents where Thompson stuffed her mouth with paper towels, handcuffed her, and struck her while performing sexual acts.

In mid-July, Frank Thompson, Caleb’s grandfather and a psychology professor at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, contacted Houlton police expressing concern about his grandson’s activities. Although he did not disclose the full extent of the situation during the call, he reached out to the Department of Health and Human Services and sought legal counsel.

The investigation intensified after Thompson’s aunt and cousin reported their worries to police on July 24, prompting a thorough inquiry into the alleged criminal activities occurring within the home.

In addition to the sexual assault and kidnapping charges, police uncovered that Thompson had livestreamed himself using a falsified identification, claiming to be a Houlton police sergeant. He reportedly warned the victim that he could arrest her if she reported him.

Thompson is scheduled for arraignment in Aroostook County Court on January 6, 2026. As this case unfolds, the community remains on alert, grappling with the implications of these serious allegations.

This developing story highlights critical issues surrounding victim safety and the need for vigilance in our communities. Stay tuned for further updates as new information emerges.