BOSTON, July 17, 2013—A Malden man was arraigned this week on a warrant charging him with stealing a commercial ferry boat last Christmas, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

SAMUEL LeCLAIR (D.O.B. 3/29/51), a.k.a. SAMUEL SALDUTTI, of Malden appeared in Boston Municipal Court for arraignment yesterday after his arrest yesterday on a straight warrant charging him with breaking and entering during the daytime with intent to commit a felony and larceny over $250. 

Judge Thomas C. Horgan heard bail arguments yesterday, at which time Assistant District Attorney Emily Hamrock requested that LeClair be held on $1,500 and stay away from Boston Harbor.  Horgan declined to set bail until LeClair could be evaluated by a court clinician today. LeClair returned to court today, was deemed competent to assist in his own defense, and was released by Horgan on his own recognizance and ordered to stay away from the waterfront and not board any boat while his case is pending.

Marine units from Boston and State police, the Boston Fire Department, and Massport responded to a report of a vessel adrift in Boston Harbor shortly before noon on Dec. 25.  According to prosecutors, a disheveled and uncooperative LeClair was found alone aboard Boston Harbor Cruises’ 68-foot passenger ferry Fort Independence.  The ferry was secured to the Federal Courthouse docks.

LeClair allegedly made statements to police that he had untied the vessel at Long Wharf and that his girlfriend – whom he identified as Stevie Nicks – was the boat’s captain and driver, prosecutors said.  Police did not locate the iconic singer-songwriter or any other person onboard.

LeClair was brought to shore aboard the Boston Police Harbor Unit’s boat, the Due Process, and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for evaluation. He was eventually released, but Boston Police later obtained a complaint against him and a warrant for his arrest.

Employees from Boston Harbor Cruises inspected the ferry and found no damage.

LeClair was represented by Sarah McLean.  He will return to court Sept. 18.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.