MIDDLEBURY — A Lincoln man on Aug. 3 pleaded innocent in Addison Superior Court, criminal division, to a felony charge of sexual assault, in connection with an alleged incident with a woman while she was nursing a child.
Charles Norton, 53, faces a potential jail term of three years to life and a fine of up to $25,000 if convicted on the charge, relating to a case dating back to Aug. 9, 2016.
On that date, Vermont State Police investigators allege Norton performed a sexual act on the victim, without her consent, as she was nursing a child. The victim told police she had tried unsuccessfully to push Norton away from her, according to court records.
Vermont State Police Det. Trooper Craig Hanson stated, in his court affidavit, that the woman told him she hadn’t reported the alleged assault earlier because she believed it might affect her ability to retain custody of her child.
Norton was released following his arraignment on condition he have no contact with the alleged victim.