Former Maine gubernatorial candidate arrested again for alleged probation violation

Eliot Cutler has been arrested three times in the past five months for breaking probation conditions

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Eliot Cutler, the former failed gubernatorial candidate in Maine who was convicted in 2023 for possessing child sex abuse materials, was arrested again on Monday evening for allegedly violating his probation conditions. This marks the third time Cutler has been arrested for breaking probation in the past five months.

Why it matters

Cutler's repeated arrests and alleged violations of his probation raise concerns about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in monitoring and enforcing conditions for convicted sex offenders, as well as the ongoing threat he may pose to public safety.

The details

According to the Maine Department of Public Safety, the Maine State Police Special Victim's Unit found Cutler at a South Portland hotel on Monday afternoon while investigating unrelated activity. Cutler's attorney said he would 'in all likelihood' appear in Hancock County's courthouse on Wednesday. Cutler was previously arrested in September 2025 for allegedly searching online for pornographic materials, which violated the conditions of his probation.

  • Cutler was arrested on Monday evening, February 10, 2026.
  • Cutler was previously arrested in September 2025 for allegedly violating his probation conditions.
  • In May 2023, Cutler pled guilty to four counts of possessing child sex abuse material and was accused of saving 142,000 images and videos of child sex abuse on his electronic devices.

The players

Eliot Cutler

The former failed gubernatorial candidate in Maine who was convicted in 2023 for possessing child sex abuse materials.

Walter McKee

Cutler's defense attorney.

Shannon Moss

A spokesperson for the Maine Department of Public Safety.

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What they’re saying

“Cutler would 'in all likelihood' appear at Hancock County's courthouse Wednesday afternoon.”

— Walter McKee, Cutler's defense attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Wednesday whether or not to allow Cutler to remain out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges in monitoring and enforcing probation conditions for convicted sex offenders, as well as the need for stronger measures to protect public safety and prevent repeat offenses.