Maine man charged with 9 counts of simple assault in boat launch melee

Keith Welch (Rochester Police photo)

ROCHESTER - A Maine man was arrested on multiple warrants on Sunday in connection with a melee between him and a group of swimmers including children at the Baxter Lake Boat Launch the evening of July 3.

Keith Welch, 27, of 111 Ogunquit Road, South Berwick, was charged with nine counts of simple assault, endangering the welfare of a child, criminal threatening, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

Welch turned himself in to Rochester Police at the Wakefield Street Police Station around 1:20 p.m., where he was booked before being taken to Strafford County Jail.

Police first got involved when they were called for a report of a fight at the boat launch off Four Rod Road around 9:30 p.m.

"When police arrived, (Welch) was on scene, but stated the others involved had left," Rochester Police Capt. Todd Pinkham said today.

According to police, Welch was out canoeing and was going to bring his canoe to shore where the others were swimming, which is said to be a "no swimming" area. Pinkham said the family, including children, asked if they needed to move, and the suspect made some rude comments to them provoking an argument.

Police say Welch then poked an adult with a canoe paddle and assaulted him before taking out his knife and cutting some of the children's aquatic toys.

Pinkham said Welch continued to be aggressive physically and verbally while holding a knife, prompting one of the adults to get a gun. Another adult took out a gun, but did not point it at anyone; police say Welch then charged and assaulted him, too.

Police say the family left and called police from another location to report their side of the story.