Litchfield police chief accused of sexual harassment, charged with misdemeanor - WMUR Manchester

1 year ago 50

The main of constabulary successful Litchfield has been arrested and accused of sexually harassing a subordinate.Litchfield Police Chief Benjamin Sargent, 43, of Hudson, was charged with authoritative oppression, a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a good of up to $1,200.In a written statement, Attorney General John Formella said Sargent is accused of knowingly committing "an unauthorized act, which purported to beryllium an enactment of his office, with a intent to payment himself oregon different oregon to harm another, by sexually harassing a subordinate successful usurpation of authoritative policy."In a constabulary affidavit, an researcher with the lawyer general's bureau said Sargent was accused of making a bid of inappropriate communications connected the telephone and done substance with an serviceman successful the Litchfield Police Department connected Dec. 31, 2021, and Jan. 1, 2022.According to the affidavit, Sargent admitted sharing with the serviceman that his woman was leaving him due to the fact that of his drinking, but helium denied that his comments had immoderate romanticist significance.The calls and texts were made hours aft Sargent was allegedly seen driving astir drunk with a pistol successful his mouth, according to the affidavit. Litchfield constabulary went to Sargent's location based connected a study from the termination prevention hotline and allegedly recovered him intoxicated, according to the affidavit."He committed an enactment with volition that helium knew what helium was doing," said adjunct lawyer wide Joe Fincham. Sargent aboriginal said helium called an Alcoholics Anonymous hotline but denied being suicidal oregon driving with a weapon successful his mouth, according to the affidavit.Sargent was released connected idiosyncratic recognizance bail and is scheduled to beryllium arraigned connected Jan. 12 successful Merrimack.A ceremonial transgression probe was opened into Sargent successful June, but the lawyer general's bureau didn't merchandise immoderate details astatine the clip astir the quality of the investigation.Sargent archetypal went connected permission successful January, and the municipality Board of Selectmen extended that permission successful June."Our probe is implicit astatine this point. So the lone happening near for america would beryllium the tribunal proceedings," Fincham said. The Litchfield municipality head told News 9 Thursday the municipality had nary remark astir Sargent's apprehension and the constabulary section said nary 1 was disposable to sermon the matter.

CONCORD, N.H. —

The main of constabulary successful Litchfield has been arrested and accused of sexually harassing a subordinate.

Litchfield Police Chief Benjamin Sargent, 43, of Hudson, was charged with authoritative oppression, a Class B misdemeanor punishable by a good of up to $1,200.

In a written statement, Attorney General John Formella said Sargent is accused of knowingly committing "an unauthorized act, which purported to beryllium an enactment of his office, with a intent to payment himself oregon different oregon to harm another, by sexually harassing a subordinate successful usurpation of authoritative policy."

In a constabulary affidavit, an researcher with the lawyer general's bureau said Sargent was accused of making a bid of inappropriate communications connected the telephone and done substance with an serviceman successful the Litchfield Police Department connected Dec. 31, 2021, and Jan. 1, 2022.

According to the affidavit, Sargent admitted sharing with the serviceman that his woman was leaving him due to the fact that of his drinking, but helium denied that his comments had immoderate romanticist significance.

The calls and texts were made hours aft Sargent was allegedly seen driving astir drunk with a pistol successful his mouth, according to the affidavit. Litchfield constabulary went to Sargent's location based connected a study from the termination prevention hotline and allegedly recovered him intoxicated, according to the affidavit.

"He committed an enactment with volition that helium knew what helium was doing," said adjunct lawyer wide Joe Fincham.

Sargent aboriginal said helium called an Alcoholics Anonymous hotline but denied being suicidal oregon driving with a weapon successful his mouth, according to the affidavit.

Sargent was released connected idiosyncratic recognizance bail and is scheduled to beryllium arraigned connected Jan. 12 successful Merrimack.

A ceremonial transgression probe was opened into Sargent in June, but the lawyer general's bureau didn't merchandise immoderate details astatine the clip astir the quality of the investigation.

Sargent archetypal went connected permission successful January, and the municipality Board of Selectmen extended that permission successful June.

"Our probe is implicit astatine this point. So the lone happening near for america would beryllium the tribunal proceedings," Fincham said.

The Litchfield municipality head told News 9 Thursday the municipality had nary remark astir Sargent's apprehension and the constabulary section said nary 1 was disposable to sermon the matter.

Read Entire Article