Gardner police officer accused of molesting a child under age 14
GARDNER - A city police officer was arraigned yesterday on charges that he molested a juvenile.
Larry J. Landry, 35, was charged with statutory rape of a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under age 14, and assault to rape a child.
He is being held on $50,000 cash or $500,000 with surety bail in Worcester County Jail.
No formal plea was entered for Landry, and he is due back in court on Oct. 5 for a pretrial hearing.
Assistant District Attorney Brian D’Andrea told the court that Landry was arrested Monday after the juvenile told Gardner police he had been molested by Landry.
The molestation allegedly took place in Winchendon from the time the boy was in kindergarten until he was in the sixth grade.
After learning of the allegations, Landry turned himself in to Gardner police.
He was arrested and placed on paid leave by Chief Neil Erickson.
In arguing for the high bail, D’Andrea said that because of the nature of the charges, Landry is a severe flight risk.
But in seeking lower bail, Martin B. Kallio Jr., Landry’s lawyer, said his client is 35, is separated from his wife, and has children ages 16, 11, and 6.
“He has been a police officer for 14 years - all of that honorable - and was acting sergeant for several months,’’ he said.
After the hearing, Kallio said his client denies all charges.
“These allegations are outrageous,’’ he said. “He denies them vociferously.’’
He said his client is doing well despite the charges against him.
“His spirits are very high,’’ he said.
“He’s obviously concerned for his family,’’ Kallio added.
Members of Landry’s family were in court but left quickly after the hearing, shouting at television reporters as they left the building.
