WATERVILLE — A 23-year-old man was free on bail Sunday, less than 24 hours after he stabbed a man in the back.

Jesse James Jones, of 2 Poolers Parkway, was at the Bob-In Restaurant after 12 a.m. Sunday morning when he got into a verbal dispute with another man, Sgt. Dan Ames said.

The men took their argument outside, and Jones pulled out a folding knife with a blade about four inches long. The other man, whom police wouldn’t identify, tried to run away from the knife-wielding Jones, but Jones caught up with him and sliced a two- to three-inch wound into his back near the shoulder then fled toward Main Street, Ames said.

Jones was arrested minutes later without incident and charged with aggravated assault with a weapon — a class B felony. Police also found a tablet of methylin in Jones’ pocket and charged him with unlawful possession of a scheduled drug — a class D misdemeanor, Ames said.

The victim, whose wounds were superficial, refused medical treatment.

Jones was released Sunday from Kennebec County jail after posting bail of $1,750. He is scheduled to appear in Kennebec County Superior Court on July 10. If convicted on both charges, Jones could face a maximum of 11 years in prison and $22,000 in fines.

Sunday’s arrest marks the third time Jones has been picked up by Waterville police. In January, Jones was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and fighting. In February, Jones was arrested on a charge of unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs — a class C felony — when police found an estimated $8,500 worth of cocaine in the car Jones was riding in.

Ben McCanna — 861-9239

bmccanna@centralmaine.com