The Bangor Police Department arrested an alleged pedophile and former Maine State Prison Corrections Officer on Wednesday after an investigation into a 2015 sexual assault against a child under the age of 12.
On May 13, the Somerset Sheriff’s Criminal Division received a referral from the District Attorney’s Office related to an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of a minor that occurred in 2015.
Deputy Stacey Slate was assigned to the investigation. She learned that the alleged assault occurred in Ripley and was committed against a child under the age of 12.
During the investigation, Slate allegedly developed probable cause to obtain an arrest warrant for Robert Michael Kniesner, 36, of Bangor, on a charge of gross sexual assault.
The next month, on June 17, the Bangor Police Department arrested Kniesner. He was transported to the Somerset County Jail, where he was reportedly issued a $5,000 bail.
Despite the press release, jail records show that he is only being held on a $2,500 bail.
The Department of Health & Human Services and Penquis Children’s Advocacy Center assisted in the investigation.
A Facebook page that appears to belong to Kniesner says that he currently works as a Corrections Officer at the Maine State Prison.
Records from Maine Open Checkbook show that he worked as a corrections officer in 2024 and earned a total compensation of $76,816, including benefits.
He does not appear as an employee in the 2025 Open Checkbook records.
