Gregory Vrooman, the former State Trooper charged with one count of unlawful sexual contact and one count of tampering with a witness, made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset on Jan. 27.
His appearance did not include a plea, as Vrooman, a 45-year-old Nobleboro resident, has not been indicted. The next grand jury meets in February, court officials said.
Both charges are felonies carrying maximum sentences of five years in prison.
At the hearing, Vrooman’s attorney, Michael Turndorf, took issue with the fact that the state has not provided any indication of what probable cause the state had to arrest Vrooman.
Vrooman was arrested on Nov. 24, 2010, without a warrant. He was booked and released on bail almost immediately, Turndorf said. No affidavit or statements of probable cause for the arrest have been filed with the court or provided to Turndorf, he said.
“It’s been more than 60 days, and I have not seen any information from the state,” Turndorf said. He argued the lack of information hinders his ability to conduct an investigation in defense of his client.
Assistant District Attorney Deb Cashman said that a full discovery would be provided after Vrooman’s indictment and subsequent arraignment. At the arraignment, Vrooman will be presented with all of the charges against him and will have an opportunity to plead innocent or guilty.
Following the appearance, Vrooman declined to comment on the case.
