SALEM — A Salem teenager is facing indecent assault and battery charges after allegedly groping another teen in an apartment off Essex Street near Salem Common early Saturday morning, police said.
Christian Skyler Clemons, 17, of 177 North St., Salem, pleaded not guilty to three counts of indecent assault and battery during his arraignment yesterday in Salem District Court.
Judge Michael Lauranzano set bail at $500 cash but also revoked Clemons' bail in an earlier incident in which he was charged with stealing $80 from the cash register at The Barking Cat on Essex Street, then running outside and announcing, "I just robbed the pet store," according to court papers.
In the incident early Saturday, prosecutor Patrick Collins said Clemons was visiting with friends and they were watching a movie. During the movie, the friends, all girls, fell asleep.
One of the girls woke up around 3 a.m. and found Clemons fondling her, Collins told the judge.
The following morning, someone noticed Clemons' electronic monitoring ankle bracelet had been left behind on a counter.
Clemons, who is legally in the custody of the Department of Youth Services until early next month when he turns 18, had been ordered to wear the bracelet as a result of a juvenile court matter.
His lawyer, Leslie Salter, argued yesterday that no one saw or heard anything going on at the time the assaults allegedly occurred and suggested that Clemons was being "overcharged."
She also said Clemons and his parents, who were in court, told her the teen did not have a curfew and that he had permission from his mother to stay overnight at the home, a suggestion the judge questioned.
Because Clemons' bail was revoked in the theft case, it means that even if his parents can post $500 bail, he won't be released for up to 60 days. He was also in custody on a DYS warrant.
He is due back in court on July 11.
Courts reporter Julie Manganis may be reached at 978-338-2521 or jmanganis@salemnews.com.
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