Officer Corey Fournier

Massachusetts – A Chicopee police officer was arraigned Tuesday on charges that he raped a woman over the weekend during National Guard training at Fort Devens, and he’s now suspended without pay, authorities said.

Officer Corey Fournier, a 3 ½-year veteran of the Chicopee Police Department, appeared in Clinton District Court for arraignment on two counts of rape and single counts of kidnapping and assault and battery, law enforcement officials say.

Judge Robert W. Gardner set bail at $5,000, according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.’s office, and a not-guilty plea was entered on Fournier’s behalf.

The lawyer appointed to represent Fournier during his arraignment couldn’t be reached for comment. Fournier plans to hire private counsel, prosecutors said.

A spokesman for Early confirmed that Fournier is accused of raping a “female victim” during weekend National Guard training at Fort Devens.

Earlier Tuesday, Chicopee police said state troopers assigned to Early’s office arrested Fournier on Monday night. The alleged assault occurred early Saturday, authorities said.

Prosecutors said Fournier and the woman did not know one another.

He was placed on administrative leave without pay and surrendered his department equipment including his duty weapon, badge, identification, and personal firearms, police said.

“Chief [William] Jebb has ensured complete cooperation with the investigating agencies,” Chicopee police said in a statement.

The next hearing in Fournier’s case is scheduled for March 30.

Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2018/03/06/chicopee-police-officer-arrested-rape-kidnapping-charges/42PPli58DA0eBMvCDAFMsK/story.html