AUGUSTA — Allegedly collecting $3,000 in unemployment checks while serving a jail sentence has landed a Portland man in more legal trouble.

Vincent John Cueto, 43, of Portland, was indicted Monday by a grand jury in Kennebec County on charges of theft by deception and violation of condition of release.

An indictment is not a determination of guilt, but it is an indication that sufficient evidence is present to proceed with formal charges and a trial in superior court.

The indictment accuses Cueto of collecting cash from the Maine Department of Labor between Oct. 8, 2010, and Jan. 18, 2011.

It also charges him with a violation of condition of release, saying he made contact Feb. 13 with an individual who is a potential witness in the case.

Cueto had been sentenced last December in Kennebec County Superior Court to 364 days in jail, with all but six months suspended and two years’ probation after he was convicted of two counts of domestic violence assault, one each in September and October. Both occurred in Augusta.

“He was in jail collecting unemployment, a little over $3,000,” said District Attorney Evert Fowle.

Fowle said the witness was an unwitting accomplice and that the scheme was discovered partly through phone conversations that were monitored. “He asked someone on the outside to continue getting the money and processing the unemployment claims,” Fowle said.

A number of other people also were indicted Monday:

Michael Beaulieu, 25, burglary of a motor vehicle and two counts each of theft by unauthorized taking and failure to appear in court, all between April 19, 2010 and Dec. 28, 2010, in Augusta and Waterville.

James L. Bell, 30, of Waterville, aggravated assault, attempted aggravated assault, reckless conduct and two counts of assault, all Feb. 26 in Waterville.

Devin M. Charest, 20, of South Portland, eluding an officer, driving to endanger and operating after suspension, all March 12 in Monmouth.

Myles Cloutier Jr., 18, of Augusta, burglary and theft by unauthorized taking between Sept. 1 and Sept. 30, 2010.

Amanda M. Daugherty, 18, of Pittston, domestic violence assault, aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child, all Jan. 1 in Pittston.

Roland Gagnon, 47, of Skowhegan, domestic violence assault, assault and criminal mischief, all Feb. 16 in Rome.

Justin L. George, 22, of Winslow, robbery Jan. 2 in Winslow.

Dean R. Grondin, 22, of Mount Vernon, four counts of burglary and nine counts of theft by unauthorized taking between Jan. 26, 2010, and March 2, 2010, in Augusta, Fayette, Manchester, Mount Vernon and Readfield.

Todd I. Ingalls, 34, of Albion, domestic violence assault, criminal mischief and criminal operating under the influence, all Jan. 29 in Winslow.

Dwayne E. Levasseur, 39, of Benton, domestic violence assault, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, obstructing report of crime or injury and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, all March 25 in Vassalboro.

Nicholas E. MacKenzie, 29, of Augusta, domestic violence assault and obstructing report of crime or injury, both Jan. 9 in Augusta.

Kevin C. Meserve, 50, of Winslow, aggravated assault Aug. 4, 2010, in Waterville.

Richard C. Parker Jr., 51, of Augusta, aggravated criminal OUI and aggravated operating after habitual offender revocation, Jan 5 in Augusta.

John C. Purcell IV, 30, (no residence listed) operating after revocation, driving to endanger, failure to stop for an officer and improper plates Oct. 20, 2010, in Augusta.

Tammy M. Rastelli, 37, of Chelsea, burglary and theft by unauthorized taking Feb. 12 in Augusta.

Mark A. Roberts, 49, of Winslow, aggravated trafficking in scheduled drugs, aggravated marijuana cultivation, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, criminal forfeiture, all Feb. 18 in Winslow.

Michael R. Sargent, 42, of Rumford, unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and falsifying physical evidence, both Sept. 27, 2010, in Vienna.

Gregory E. Storer, 28, of Vienna, criminal OUI and operating beyond license condition restriction, both April 9, 2010, in Readfield.

Adam C. Trott, 23, of Clinton, aggravated assault, reckless conduct and aggravated criminal mischief, all Feb. 21 in Clinton.

Jarvis R. Walls, 47, of Pittston, forgery and theft by deception between March 2, 1020 and Aug. 1, 2010, in Pittston.

Richard R. Wilkie, 50, of Augusta, domestic violence assault Dec. 18, 2010, in Augusta.

John Carrol Williams Jr., 43, of Augusta, five counts of assault and disorderly conduct, all Dec. 31, 2010, in Augusta.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com