A Vermont state senator has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault and prohibited acts.
Norman McAllister entered the plea Friday morning. His lawyer didn't object to the $20,000 bail.
Prosecutors say the charges involve three victims.
The 63-year-old McAllister is in his second two-year Senate term representing Franklin County. He was arrested Thursday outside the statehouse.
He said nothing after the brief appearance. His lawyer, Brooks McArthur, made a short statement following the court session noting that McAllister has a different version of events and people should not rush to judgement.
McAllister is a successful Franklin County dairy farmer and one of nine Republicans in the 30-member Senate. He has sponsored legislation to require recipients of public assistance to undergo drug testing, a measure given little chance of passage in the current Legislature.
Prosecutors declined to file human trafficking charges sought by police.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2015. All rights reserved.
