Former State Police Chief Enters Plea in Sexual Assault Case

A former Maine State Police Chief  has pleaded not guilty to a charge of gross sexual assault involving a young family member.

Seventy-three-year-old Andrew Demers appeared before a judge Wednesday morning in Superior Court in Portland.

Demers was initially charged in March with unlawful sexual contact with a person younger than 12 and was released on $5,000 cash bail.

Following the arrest, Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said that  Demers admitted to detectives that he did have sexual contact with the 4-year-old girl at his home in New Gloucester. Demers also reportedly said he had attempted suicide before the investigation began.

Last Friday, he was indicted by a Cumberland County grand jury for the elevated charge of Class A gross sexual assault. If convicted, he could face up to 30 years in prison.

Demers served as Chief of the Maine State Police from 1987 to 1993, when he retired after 26 years on the force. The Press Herald reported Demers was the most decorated officer in state police history and was named a “Legendary Trooper.”

Demers remains free on bail until his next court appearance on June 24.