More Details Emerge in Fairhaven Musician Indecent Assault

FAIRHAVEN — More details have emerged in the indecent assault case that saw the lead singer of a popular local rock band sentenced to nine months behind bars.

Last week, 39-year-old James Gagne of Fairhaven was convicted by a district court jury of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14.

Gagne, the lead singer of the band Shipyard Wreck, was at Paul's Sports Corner bar in Fairhaven on Aug. 4, 2018 when he began bothering the victim and her friends, according to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office.

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He was putting his arms around them and bothering them to the point that they moved seats to avoid him, the D.A.'s office wrote in a statement.

Despite this, Gagne once again began bothering the victim and sat down next to her.

At one point the defendant placed his hand on the victim's thigh and ran his hand up to her groin area, according to the office.

The victim immediately jumped up and yelled "Keep your hands off me.”

She told her friends who were with her what happened, and subsequently told her boyfriend when she went home later that night.

The victim then reported the incident to Fairhaven Police the next day.

Her identity is not being disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the case.

Gagne later told police over the phone that he was intoxicated at the bar, won $500 on Keno, and bought a round of drinks for the bar, but did not remember anything else.

According to the D.A.'s office, he also told the police officer that he had a "bad weekend.”

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Robert Fread.

"I would like to thank the victim for her perseverance and patience while waiting for this case to be resolved," said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn. "I am happy the jury held the defendant accountable for his offensive conduct."