SANFORD — A Hollis man facing domestic violence charges for allegedly shooting his sons with a BB gun made his first court appearance on Monday afternoon.

James Pelletier appeared at Springvale District Court via telecast from the York County Jail in Alfred, wearing orange prison garb and sitting next to the attorney of the day, Joseph Mekonis.

Pelletier did not make a plea, but was asked by Judge Jeffrey Moskowitz if he understood the charges against him and he said he did.

Pelletier, 46, was arrested Friday and has been charged with domestic violence assault with a weapon and domestic violence reckless conduct with a weapon for allegedly shooting his 9-year-old son in the upper thigh and his 11-year-old son in the right forearm with a BB gun, according to state police.

Maine State Police and the Department of Health and Human Services began investigating the alleged incident following a referral from Hollis Middle School on Friday.

The 11-year-old told DHHS investigators that he and his brother were shot because they didn’t do their chores, according to state police.

Pelletier, according to police, said he shot the two boys with a BB gun to teach them what it feels like to get shot with a BB gun, so they wouldn’t shoot others when they got their own BB guns.

Pelletier’s bail was set Monday for $50,000. He is not to use or possess alcohol or to possess any dangerous weapons.

He is to avoid contact with the two children involved in the alleged incident, but is allowed to have contact with his adult-aged children.

Pelletier is scheduled to appear at York County Superior Court at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 16.

The complaint and the affidavit related to the case are currently sealed due to the age of the victims and the nature of the alleged charges, according to court documents.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 325 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.