AUGUSTA – A Biddeford man pled guilty and was sentenced on charges he violated the Maine Civil Rights Act, Attorney General William J. Schneider announced.
Adam D. Goodwin, age 36, pled guilty in York County Superior Court to assault, interference with constitutional and civil rights, and a criminal violation of a civil rights injunction. Following the plea, Superior Court Justice G. Arthur Brennan sentenced Goodwin to nine months in the York County Jail.
On December 18, 2010 the victim, Carl Donaldson, an African-American, waited for an order at Rapid Ray’s Diner in Saco with his female companion, who was Caucasian. Goodwin entered the diner and made a racially derogatory comment to the couple. Donaldson replied and turned back to his companion when Goodwin closed his fist and punched Donaldson in the head.
“It is unacceptable that acts of violence are committed against complete strangers because of their race or national origin.