NEWPORT, N.H. — A Newport man accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times last month after they had met on a dating website was ordered held on home detention following a court appearance this week.
Shaun Berge, 42, pleaded not guilty in Sullivan County Superior Court on Monday to 11 charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault and three charges of second degree assault. The charges are connected to a December incident in which a woman who was dating Berge told police he forced her to perform sexual acts several times over the course of four days, according to an affidavit written by Detective Stephen Lee with the Newport Police Department.
Sullivan County Attorney Marc Hathaway said police are investigating similar accusations by a second woman in another jurisdiction but have not charged Berge in that case. Hathaway did not have further information on the case or jurisdiction.
In an order published Tuesday following Berge’s arraignment and an evidentiary hearing Monday, Superior Court Judge Brian Tucker ordered that Berge be electronically monitored and held on home detention at a home in Marlow, N.H., leaving only for special circumstances including work, doctor’s appointments, or religious events. He also prohibited Berge from contact with women who are not his relatives and barred internet access.
“The nature and circumstances of the offenses charged suggest the defendant presents an ongoing threat to the safety of women he may meet through dating services or otherwise,” Tucker wrote in the order. He added that while the evidence against Berge is strong, there are conditions of his release that could “mitigate the risk of harm.”
The charges stem from a report the woman made on Dec. 19, accusing Berge of sexual assault, according to police. She told police she met Berge on the dating app MeetMe a week and a half earlier and they had been dating for that time.
Initially, she said their sexual encounters were consensual, but that quickly changed when Berge forced her to perform sexual acts multiple times over the course of four days, according to the affidavit. The woman told police that she did not consent and tried to push Berge away, but that he overpowered her and told her he would “take what’s his,” the affidavit said.
Lee’s affidavit said he pretended to be the woman and texted Berge, and that he texted back, blaming her for the alleged assaults but also saying, “I make mistakes,” according to the affidavit.
Police arrested Berge where he was staying at the Hilltop Motel in Newport on Dec. 20.
Anna Merriman can be reached at amerriman@vnews.com or 603-727-3216.