BATH

The Sagadahoc County Sheriff ’s Department arrested a Wiscasset man on an outstanding warrant after he allegedly gave his brother’s name to a deputy during a traffic stop last week.

At approximately 11:49 p.m. Sept. 14, Deputy David Hudson stopped 37-year-old Michael Eckert on Route 1 in Bath for swerving across the center line multiple times on the Sagadahoc Bridge between Bath and Woolwich, Chief Deputy Brett Strout said.

When stopped, Michael Eckert verbally identified himself as Lawrence Eckert, his 39-year-old brother, who had a warrant for his arrest out of Cumberland County dating back to 1998 for violation of conditions of release. Michael Eckert was also driving his brother’s vehicle, so when the deputy checked the vehicle registration, it was listed as belonging to Lawrence Eckert, further validating Michael Eckert’s claim of who he was.

Strout said Michael Eckert was arrested as Lawrence Eckert on this warrant and taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset, where he posted bail and signed out as Lawrence Eckert.

Strout said Lawrence Eckert later went to the sheriff ’s office in Bath to report that his brother had falsely used his name. He then stated it was Michael Eckert’s violation that triggered the 1998 warrant of arrest for violation of conditions of release; not his.

Deputies Hudson and Matt Sharpe then went to the address they had for Michael Eckert, 107 George Wright Road, at around 7:52 p.m. on Saturday, but did not locate him.

When deputies arrived, however, Strout said there was a physical altercation taking place in the yard: Lawrence Eckert was involved in the altercation with other people at the home, and after deputies interceded, Lawrence allegedly pushed Hudson.

The deputy immediately arrested Lawrence Eckert, with an address of 44 Page Ave., Wiscasset, on an assault charge. He was taken to Two Bridges Regional Jail.

Strout said subsequently that Michael Eckert of 5 Lobster Lane in Wiscasset, turned himself in to the sheriff ’s department and was transported to Two Bridges Regional Jail.

On Sunday, he was issued summonses by the sheriff ’s department for failure to give correct name and address and habitual offender revocation. Sgt. Dale Hamilton executed two 2012 warrants for Michael Eckert’s arrest out of Cumberland County for probation revocation and operating under the influence–operating after suspension.

Additionally, Strout said Two Bridges Regional Jail has charged Michael Eckert with the felony Class B charge of aggravated forgery for signing his bail documents using his brother’s name on Sept. 14, for which he was given a Nov. 29 Wiscasset Superior Court date.