Former Salem Police Officer Gets Prison Time For Indecent Assault

SALEM, MA -- A former Salem police officer was sentenced to three and a half to five years in state prison Tuesday after being convicted by a jury for indecently assaulting a 28-year old man in protective custody on Halloween 2016. A jury found him not guilty of rape Monday because Massachusetts law does not specifically state that individuals in police custody cannot consent.

"Clearly changes in the law need to be made, but in the meantime, this verdict does provide some measure of accountability to the defendant and, hopefully, provides the victim with some solace," Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. "The courage of this young man cannot be overstated. What happened to him was not his fault, and, as far as I am concerned, should be a crime regardless of any claims of consent."

Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall requested a four to five year state prison sentence. In her sentencing argument, MacDougall said "The most fundamental value espoused by law enforcement is to serve and protect. Mr. Butler spit all over that value and caused harm not only to the victim but to the entire law enforcement community."

Judge Helene Kazanjian imposed the sentence after hearing an impact statement from the victim, who said "I'm not ok. I'm not good. Frankly none of this should be happening and, for me, it won't ever stop."

MacDougall introduced evidence that proved that Butler, 57, reached under a blanket and touched the victim's genitals without his consent. The victim was in protective custody after Salem Police were called to the Clipper Ship Inn because the victim was heavily intoxicated and had flooded his hotel room. The victim was visiting Salem to participate in the Halloween festivities.

Butler was acquitted on the rape charge. MacDougall attempted to prove that any apparent consent by the victim could not have been voluntary given that he was in police custody.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).