Former Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton Pleads Guilty to Lesser Charges in Sexual Assault Case
Former Addison County Sheriff Peter Newton appeared in Chittenden County Superior criminal court in Burlington on Friday, Jan. 24, for a change of plea hearing. Newton, who was accused of sexually assaulting and unlawfully restraining a woman in 2022, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of lewd and lascivious conduct and simple assault during the court appearance.
Details of the Plea Agreement
Judge John Pacht, presiding over the proceedings, stated that Newton engaged in behavior that was “open and gross” as well as “lewd and lascivious” with the intent of sexual gratification. The former sheriff had been accused of sexually assaulting, physically assaulting, and unlawfully restraining a woman he knew in February 2022 while he held the position of sheriff.
Sentencing and Probation Terms
As per the terms of the plea agreement, Newton would receive a deferred sentence with probation for two years for the lewd and lascivious conduct charge. If successfully completed, the charge would be expunged. For the simple assault charge, Newton would face a suspended sentence of six to 12 months with two years of probation.
Additional Requirements and Restrictions
In addition to the probation terms, Judge Pacht ordered a pre-sentence investigation and a psychosexual evaluation for Newton. The evaluation would include a screening to determine if Newton required alcohol or mental health counseling. Newton must also complete a 26-week domestic violence counseling program, refrain from owning firearms or other deadly weapons, and is prohibited from working as a law enforcement officer under the conditions of the agreement.
Implications of the Deferred Sentence
The judge emphasized that a deferred sentence could be a double-edged sword for a defendant, depending on their behavior during the probation period. Successful completion of the terms could result in the expungement of the lewd and lascivious conduct charge for Newton. However, failure to adhere to the requirements could lead to harsher consequences.
