BETHEL — Bail was set at $5,000 Tuesday afternoon at South Paris District Court for a Bethel man charged with gross sexual assault and sexual abuse of a minor.
Police said Brian Piawlock, 28, was arrested Friday for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. There was some indication that he had furnished the victim with illegal drugs, they said.
In addition to the $5,000 cash bail, Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Winter requested that upon release, Piawlock be prohibited from using or possessing alcohol, illegal drugs, firearms and dangerous weapons, and be prohibited from having contact with the girl.
“We also ask that he be subject to random searches and testing,” Winter said. “This was a rather violent incident on a 15-year-old girl. He doesn’t have a significant criminal history, but he does have some previous misdemeanors, including unlawful possession of scheduled drugs and operating under the influence.”
Attorney Maurice Porter told Judge Rick Lawrence that he did not disagree with the $5,000 cash bail, but requested that the court grant articulable suspicion searches in lieu of random searches.
Articulable suspicion searches ask that police base their searches on specific facts rather than a suspicion or hunch.
The “allegations are very clear that drugs were a major factor in this incident,” Winter said. “I believe he should be subject to random searches.”
Porter shot back that an articulable suspicion search makes more sense, since they were discussing preconviction bail.
“It’s also a burden on the rights of Piawlock’s family,” Porter said, pointing out that Piawlock would be living with his parents upon release.
Lawrence asked, “The paperwork provided in support of the complaint said that some type of narcotic was found at the residence, which is his parents house, correct?”
Porter leaned toward Piawlock, whispered something in his ear, and replied, “Yes.”
Lawrence ruled that Piawlock be subject to random searches and testing.
A conference on the case is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 9, at the Rumford District Court, according to Lawrence.
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