ELLSWORTH — An ex-convict from Georgia on whom police officers used a Taser was found guilty Friday in Ellsworth District Court of resisting arrest.

“I don’t have an extensive criminal record. I have a poor record.” — Frederick staehle

However, Staehle was recently convicted in federal court for violating a protection order in connection with the incident and will serve a minimum of five years in federal prison, said his attorney, Jeffrey Toothaker.

Staehle and his wife and children had been staying at a High Street motel last January when officers checked on the family after receiving a tip from a member of a church that had paid for the family’s stay.

Officers Chad Wilmot and Jeremy Cox and Detective Dotty Small learned that the state of Oregon had put a protection order in place prohibiting Staehle from having contact with his wife.

When the officers went to the motel to arrest Staehle for the violation, he tried to get away.

“He was calm until we told him we were going to put the handcuffs on him,” said Wilmot.

Then Staehle kicked and tried to pull away, the officer said.

Defense attorney Toothaker argued the officers were ready for a confrontation because they misinterpreted Staehle’s criminal history, which allegedly stated that Staehle had a murder conviction.

Staehle, clad in a white dress shirt and navy slacks, during his testimony tried to tell Judge Murray personal stories, including how he had been a victim of Hurricane Katrina and had lost a house.

Staehle testified that the officers approached him from behind without speaking, stunned him at least three times and slammed him against a wall.

“I was Tased … continuously,” Staehle said.

“Why do you think they Tased you?” Toothaker asked.

“Because they thought I was America’s Most Wanted,” Staehle replied.

“The truth is I have one felony conviction on my record and four misdemeanors,” Staehle said. “I don’t have an extensive criminal record. I have a poor record.”

“Is there anything else the judge should know?” the defense attorney asked.

“That this is wrong,” Staehle shouted.

Prosecuting attorney Mary Kellett objected.

“You can’t stop me from talking,” Staehle said.

“These men two and three times my size …” said Staehle. “I had no reason to resist arrest. There was no warrant. I’ve been in jail eight months for violating a protection order. That’s wrong.”

Staehle broke down and began crying on the stand. The judge called for a brief recess while the defendant composed himself.

Toothaker said his client’s version of events is that the officers inflicted pain before arresting him and he was trying to resist the pain. Staehle’s descriptions indicated the officers “may have jumped the gun a little bit,” the defense attorney said.

Detective Small later said she had testified in the federal trial, which was scheduled for an afternoon but lasted three days. The federal court had numerous recesses when Staehle broke down during the trial in Bangor, much as he did in Ellsworth, she said. At one point, Staehle fired his federal attorney and represented himself, the detective said.