State trooper in court on assault charges

WORCESTER, Mass. (WHDH) -- A state trooper was in court Friday facing charges for allegedly assaulting an 18-year-old woman four years ago.

Jason Willard, 38, was indicted by a grand jury last week. He faces five charges including indecent assault and battery and open and gross lewdness.

Willard’s attorney said these accusations are about a rocky marriage and a messy divorce.

“Astonished by these allegations, as well as we are,” said defense attorney Michael Erlich. “These allegations stem from -- allegations from four years ago that just surfaced during a pretty difficult divorce that my client’s going through. Absolutely will fight these charges. The only thing more incredible than the allegations is the fact that there was indictment in this. We’ll fight this case.”

Willard has been suspended by the state police without pay. There is also an internal affairs investigation underway.

In July, Willard’s estranged wife, Kelley, filed a document in support of her request for a divorce, in which she detailed the allegations involving the teenager.

It says the victim reported Willard exposed himself to her on several occasions, sent sexually charged text messages, and on one occasion grabbed her and told her she owed him sexual favors. The document also discloses Kelley Willard discovered in February that her husband had been carrying on an affair with a girlfriend for years.

It also claims someone caught him in the parking lot at the Auburn Fire Department, engaging in a lewd act with another woman.

Willard will appear in court Nov. 9.