Brian Peterson, formerly of New Jersey, owns a pet store in Bethel.
BETHEL – A former New Jersey man was arrested Jan. 8 following an investigation into a sexual assault complaint involving a 17-year-old girl.
Chief Darren M. Tripp charged Brian S. Peterson, 38, of Bethel, with unlawful sexual contact, a Class C felony, and misdemeanor charges of simple assault, two counts of disorderly conduct, and two counts of harassment.
Peterson, who has no prior criminal record Bethel police are aware of, was transported to Oxford County Jail in Paris where he posted $5,000 cash bail and was released. Arraignment is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. April 2 in Rumford District Court.
Tripp said Friday that the arrest stemmed from a five-hour investigation into a complaint from a 17-year-old girl employed by Peterson at his business: Peterson’s Pets, Supplies and Novelties Pet Stop in the Mountain View Mall at 192 Main St.
According to case files and a witness, who is also employed by Peterson, the alleged sexual assault occurred on Jan. 4 between Peterson and the 17-year-old girl in the pet store on Lower Main Street.
Tripp said that while he was off duty in Auburn on Jan. 7, a Telstar Regional High School student counselor called him to report that a student had been sexually assaulted.
“Once this type of complaint gets reported, it goes to the top of the list to be investigated. I started on it the next day when I came in at 7 a.m., and by noon, it was done,” Tripp said.
Tripp said he interviewed the victim and the witness first, then interviewed Peterson, who is married with two young children.
Prior to being arrested, Tripp said Peterson “did admit to committing the offense, but he maintains it was consensual.”
According to Rumford District Court Clerk Darlene Richards, bail conditions are that he:
• Must not possess or use liquor, alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.
• Must not possess or use dangerous weapons.
• Must submit to random drug or alcohol testing.
• Cannot be within 300 feet of the victim’s and a witness’ prospective place of residences, or work: Pat’s Pizza on Route 2 in Bethel, and Mount Abram Ski Resort in Locke Mills.
• Cannot be within 300 feet of Telstar Regional High School in Bethel on Route 26.
• Cannot have any contact with children under the age of 18.
On Jan. 9, Richards said Peterson filed a motion to amend bail conditions, requesting that he be allowed to have contact with children – both his own children and youths visiting his pet store.
Peterson is also asking that he be allowed to be within 300 feet of Pat’s Pizza, because he must drive past the eatery to get to work, Richards added.
A hearing on the motion is to be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in Rumford District Court. A call to Peterson for comment was not returned.
Peterson, who moved from New Jersey to Bethel in December 2001 with his family, opened the 2,000-square-foot pet store in July 2002.
Comments are no longer available on this story