LAWRENCE — A 20-year-old man was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail in connection with a sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl.
Paul Arlit, 20, of 370 S. Union St., Lawrence, was charged with the rape of a child under 16.
The investigation of the case began when a therapist went to the Police Department on Sept. 25 to report the sexual assault, which occurred three or four weeks earlier, police said.
The girl told police she and Arlit were sitting on a couch in the basement of his home when he touched her inappropriately and asked her to perform a sexual act.
During an interview with police, Arlit admitted kissing the girl and smoking marijuana "blunts" with her, and that she had touched him as well.
Arlit was arrested Nov. 14 and charged with the rape of a child under 16.
At his recent arraignment in Lawrence District Court, he was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.
If convicted, Arlit faces up to 20 years in prison.
