BANGOR (AP) — A former Maine police chief has pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting twin 5-year-old girls he was taking care of.

Carl E. Smith, who was chief in Howland for 13 years until 1988, was held on $100,000 bail after pleading not guilty in a Bangor courtroom Monday to one count of gross sexual assault and two counts of unlawful sexual contact. He has been held on bail since his arrest in May.

The sexual assaults are alleged to have occurred on April 25 at a home in Eddington.

Police say the 72-year-old Smith is not related to the girls, but is a family friend who often babysat for them.

Smith’s attorney says he plans to ask a judge for reduced bail at a hearing scheduled for next month.

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