Texas Fugitive Accused Of Sex Crimes Found In Northport

A Texas man who has a warrant in his home state for sex crimes allegedly committed against a minor is in custody in Maine.

Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says 45-year-old James Helms has been staying at a house on Route 1 in Northport for the past year, after fleeing from Brownwood, Texas, and has been working as a handyman in the mid-coast area. He was arrested at the residence on Sunday morning as the result of a joint investigation between Texas Rangers and Maine State Police.

Troopers seized three cell phones from Helms, which will be reviewed for any connection to the Texas crimes or new sexual images involving children that have been downloaded since he moved to Maine. Helms is currently being held at the Waldo County Jail on a Fugitive from Justice charge. He will face the sex crime charges once he is returned to Texas.