Wilton man's bail set at $10,000 cash

FARMINGTON — A Franklin County justice Wednesday set bail at $10,000 cash for a Wilton man accused of sexually assaulting a woman in February.

Justice Robert Mullen appointed attorney Maurice Porter in Franklin County Superior Court to represent Steven Eddy Pare, 50. Mullen will allow Porter to review bail once he is familiar with the case.

Pare is accused of sexually assaulting a woman and choking her until she lost consciousness, Wilton Police Chief Heidi Wilcox said Tuesday.

Initially Pare was charged with two counts of gross sexual assault, one count of elevated aggravated assault and violating a condition of release.

Deputy District Attorney James Andrews modified the charges Wednesday to three felony counts of gross sexual assault, aggravated assault and violation condition of release.

There are injury and evidence to support the charges, he said.

Pare has four pending charges of violating conditions of release arising from violating bail on a felony operating under the influence charge in Androscoggin Count, Andrews said.

Andrews recited Pare’s criminal history that includes OUI convictions in Maine. He also has a history in New Hampshire that includes assault convictions.

Andrews argued for $20,000 cash bail with conditions that included no contact with the woman, no use of alcohol or illegal drugs and random search and testing.

Defense attorney Jeffrey Wilson said Pare was not going to enter pleas Wednesday. A person cannot plead to a felony charge unless indicted by a grand jury.

Wilson said Pare was agreeable to having no contact with the woman, entering counseling and having a curfew. Wilson argued for $1,000 cash bail.

Pare lives with a 69-year-old veteran he cares for in East Wilton, Wilson said.

He said Pare and the woman had consensual sex. She initially told police she didn’t want him to be charged.

The woman changed her mind and talked to police and went to Rumford Community Hospital in Rumford. She allowed police to document her injuries, according to Wilcox’s affidavit filed with the court.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net