A veteran corrections officer at the Somerset County Jail in East Madison is free on bail this week after his arrest Friday on a charge of unlawful sexual contact against a child under 12.

Phillip Nelson Campbell, 65, of Harmony, faces a possible 10-year prison sentence with a conviction on the class B felony.

Phillip Nelson Campbell Somerset County Sheriff's office photo

The complaint and affidavit on the charge were impounded for 60 days by a judge on Feb. 8. The contact is alleged to have taken place in Harmony between March 31, 2016, and March 31, 2018, when the child identified as the victim was 9, 10 and 11 years old.

Campbell was arrested at his home by Maine State Police Detective Hugh Landry, of the Major Crimes Unit, according to court records.

Campbell was released on $50,000 property bond on Monday, with conditions that he not have contact with anyone under the age of 18 and not be within 1,000 feet of a school, park or playground. His bail may be reviewed once he is assigned a court-appointed attorney.

He was advised of his rights but has not entered a plea, according to court documents.

Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said Tuesday that Campbell has been a county employee for more than 16 years.

Campbell is employed as a correctional officer and has been placed on unpaid administrative leave, Lancaster said.

Court documents say there is a risk of jail time if Campbell is found guilty of the crime. Assistant District Attorney Amanda Rose Seekins sought the impoundment of the affidavit, and it was granted and remains under seal by court order until about April 8.

Campbell is the second Somerset County corrections officer to be arrested in recent months.

Jeremy A.E. Carr, 33, of Skowhegan, a corrections officer for about four months, was arrested in October on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence assault for allegedly putting his then-girlfriend in a choke hold after she reportedly caught him in bed with another woman.

Carr is free on bail after his arrest and initial court appearance in October and has pleaded not guilty. His case has been continued until May.

He no longer is employed by the jail, Lancaster said.

Campbell is scheduled for a court appearance April 17 for a dispositional conference. A trial has been scheduled tentatively for Aug. 5.

Doug Harlow — 612-2367

dharlow@centralmaine.com

Twitter:@Doug_Harlow