A Verplanck fire captain is accused of sexually abusing a woman earlier this month.
Eric Bohler was arrested by state police Tuesday, Oct. 20, and charged with first-degree sexual abuse, a felony punishable by up to seven years in state prison.
Bohler is accused of forcibly touching a woman on Oct. 4, in the parking lot of the firehouse on 8th Street, “after repeatedly being told no,” according to the criminal complaint filed in Cortland Town Court.
With the assistant fire chief position vacant, Bohler was currently the second highest ranking officer in the volunteer department, according to its website.
Charles Eichler, chairman of the Verplanck Board of Fire Commissioners, declined to comment, including on whether Bohler remains on active duty.
Chief James O'Brien could not immediately be reached.
Bohler, who turns 34 next week, was still at the Westchester County jail Wednesday morning, after bail was set at $25,000 during his arraignment the day before. He is due back in court on Oct. 26.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Verplanck fire captain arrested on sex charge
