NORTH HAVERHILL – A 72-year-old Etna Man was denied bail after pleading not guilty to multiple felony and misdemeanor charges of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl.
Gene Pease was indicted in September by a Grafton Superior Court Grand Jury on two charges of aggravated felonious sexual assault – pattern sexual assault and one misdemeanor charge of simple assault.
Each felony count carries a potential penalty of up to 20 years in prison.
Lebanon police began their investigation, with assistance from the Orford Police Department and the Grafton County Sheriff’s Office, after receiving a tip on June 29 of an alleged sexual assault in Lebanon involving a 10-year-old female victim who was known to Pease.
Pease, by waiving his arraignment, entered not guilty pleas on Oct. 7 to all charges.
Grafton Superior Court Judge Jonathan Frizzell denied bail for Pease, ordering him to remain detained in Grafton County Jail, where he has been held since June.
Pease is scheduled for a dispositional conference in Grafton Superior Court on Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m.
