FARMINGTON — A Franklin County grand jury indicted a Wilton man Wednesday on sexual and physical assault charges against a woman in February.

Steven Eddy Pare, 50, of 1331 Main St. was indicted on felony charges of gross sexual assault and aggravated assault, and a misdemeanor charge of violation of condition of release.

Wilton police began an investigation on Feb. 27 after they went to a Wilton residence on a complaint of kidnapping reported by a third party. Police arrested Pare on a charge of violating conditions of release at the residence.

Pare is accused of sexually assaulting an out-of-state woman and choking her until she passed out. Wilton Police Chief Heidi Wilcox arrested him on the charges in early March.

During an initial hearing to set bail March 7, a defense attorney claimed Pare and the woman had consensual sex, and she didn’t initially want Pare charged. 

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

A Farmington judge set bail at $10,000 on March 7.  Court-appointed defense lawyer Maurice Porter attempted later in the month to get bail reduced, but Judge Nancy Carlson denied the request.

At the time of his arrest, Pare had four pending charges of violating conditions of release all linked to alcohol use arising from violating bail on a felony operating under the influence charge in Androscoggin County. 

Pare was still being held Thursday at the Franklin County Detention Center in Farmington. 

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Steven Pare (Franklin County Detention Center)