SOUTH PORTLAND — Former gubernatorial candidate and convicted sex offender Eliot Cutler is facing new charges after being arrested this week for allegedly violating conditions of his release.

According to court documents, Maine State Police happened to run into Cutler at a South Portland hotel while conducting unrelated operations.

According to a Maine State Police incident report, Cutler was allegedly holding a stack of DVD cases at the time.

“I asked him what he was hiding behind his back,” Special Agent Jason Bosco wrote in the incident report. “Mr. Cutler said ‘nothing, I don't have anything.’ I said, ‘my guess is that it’s something you are not supposed to have.’” 

Cutler then allegedly said “yes I messed up,” and showed Bosco that he allegedly purchased pornographic DVDs, according to the agent.

Several adult pornographic DVDs and a DVD player were allegedly found in Cutler’s room after a search.

Cutler was originally convicted of possessing child pornography in 2023 and served roughly 8 months in jail before being released early for good behavior.

In January, he was released on bail after turning himself in at Hancock County Jail and appearing in court for alleged probation violations. 

It is a violation of his recent terms of release to possess, access or view any pornographic material.

Cutler’s probation officer, Sam Payson, submitted a motion to revoke Cutler’s probation.

Cutler allegedly told officers that he “can’t help himself” and “has had this problem for 65 years” on Monday.

According to Hancock County District Attorney Robert Granger, Cutler is being held without bail at Cumberland County Jail after a hearing Wednesday. 

The court imposed $50,000 bail on the new alleged criminal conduct

This is the third time in recent months that Cutler has been accused of violating his probation. He will appear in court again next week.

“The probation violation matter will be transferred back to Hancock County to be joined for hearing with the two motions to revoke probation filed previously,” said Granger.

We have reached out to Cutler’s attorney for comment. 

Cutler, an attorney, ran twice for governor as an independent. 

In 2010, Cutler narrowly lost to Republican Paul LePage by less than 8,000 votes in a four-way race.

He ran again in 2014, coming in at a distant third behind LePage and then-Rep. Mike Michaud, a Democrat. LePage was reelected.

Years prior, Cutler worked for Sen. Edmund Muskie and then for the Carter administration.