Litchfield Police Chief Denies Sexual Allegations

Litchfield’s embattled police chief is denying accusations he sent inappropriate texts and made sexually explicit phone calls to one of his female officers.

Taking the stand in a Merrimack courtroom on Friday, Benjamin Sargent pleaded not guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of official oppression.

Department sources say Sargent has been on unpaid leave since prosecutors accused him of sexually harassing the female officer.