Friday, May 9
BENNINGTON — A 19-year-old was arraigned in Bennington District Court on Thursday on charges that he impeded a sexual assault investigation against him.

Jacob Shortt, 19, of Chestnut Hill Road, Cambridge, N.Y., pleaded not guilty to charges of obstructing justice and violating his conditions of release. He was released on conditions, including one that he not go to the Mount Anthony Union High School or Career Development Center.

According to an affidavit by Bennington Police Detective Lawrence Cole, police began an investigation of sexual assault on April 29. According to Cole, the alleged victim claimed Shortt and another male had sexual contact with her without her consent.

Cole said he received a call from the MAU administration on April 30, claiming that the alleged victim had been approached by Shortt. Cole said he spoke with the alleged victim, who reportedly claimed that Shortt approached her in the high school cafeteria saying he had been told that she spoke to the police. The alleged victim said that Shortt stood in a position which she felt prevented her from leaving, and told her not to get him in trouble. She reportedly said that she felt threatened by

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Shortt's actions.

Cole said he met with Shortt and told him that police were in the midst of a criminal investigation, and said he outlined the forms of contact between Shortt and the alleged victim that were prohibited. Cole said Shortt indicated that he understood this.

Cole said he arrested Shortt on May 6 at the high school for sexual assault, and said Shortt was processed and issued conditions of release. Shortt, said Cole, was returned to the high school at 12:10 p.m.

Cole said he received a call from the Career Development Center administration one hour later. According to Cole, it was divulged in the call that Shortt had been in the center's cafeteria, yelling loudly that he had just been arrested for something he didn't do. Shortt allegedly went on to say that the girl was lying. The alleged victim was reportedly sitting at a table in the cafeteria at the time.

Cole said he went to the Career Development Center, met with the alleged victim and examined the area where Shortt reportedly made his announcement. Cole said that Shortt would have been able to see the alleged victim from the place where he made his announcement.

Cole said the girl also informed him that Shortt had approached her the day before, allegedly asking the girl why she was talking to police.

According to Cole, Shortt is due back in court later in the month to be arraigned for a sexual assault charge. Shortt also has a pending domestic assault charge in which the incident reportedly occurred at the MAU High School.