Massachusetts trooper charged with sexual assault, bribery

A Massachusetts state trooper, Terence Kent, has been charged with sexual assault and bribery. Court documents reveal that last summer, he took a man with expired car insurance to a secluded salt shed and requested a sexual favor in return for helping with the insurance issue. During a routine traffic stop, Kent pulled over the victim, who was parked with his expired insurance. Kent told him that his car needed to be towed and that he might have to go to court. After the man applied for new insurance, he met Kent at a nearby parking lot. However, the insurance had not updated in the system, and Kent asked him to drive to a Department of Transportation building in Lexington to discuss the situation further. Once at the DOT property, Kent directed the man to a dark salt shed. Inside, Kent pried open the large door and both men entered. The victim described feeling "trapped" since Kent was armed and had his personal information. Kent then made sexual advances, which the victim initially refused. However, feeling pressured, the victim engaged in some physical contact to appease Kent. The situation ended when Kent's radio suddenly went off, allowing the victim to escape. Kent has been suspended twice during his eight-year career with the state police. He pled not guilty to the charges and has been released on personal recognizance. The case will continue in court on April 2.