Ex-Bensalem police sergeant charged in assault on woman

A former Bensalem police sergeant who supervised sex-crime investigations was charged Monday with sexually assaulting a 23-year-old woman last month in a township rescue squad building.

Michael Marren, 41, who had been with the Bensalem Police Department for nine years, was fired last month for violating the department's code of conduct.

Until then he had supervised the department's Special Victims Unit, a team of detectives whose cases include sex crimes.

Marren, of Huntingdon Valley, was charged with forcing several sexual acts on the woman March 9 inside the Bensalem Rescue Squad building, where both worked as volunteers. He was not on duty at the time.

The alleged attack occurred two days after the death of Bensalem emergency medical technician Dan McIntosh, who had suffered a fatal heart attack while chasing a mentally disturbed suspect. Marren and the woman had joined other squad members in mourning McIntosh's death at a nearby bar, court records said.

About 2:40 a.m., Marren drove the woman back to the Bensalem Rescue Squad on Hulmeville Road, where she had intended to spend the night in the sleeping quarters, according to a probable cause affidavit.

While still in his vehicle, the affidavit says, Marren forcibly kissed the woman, who pushed him away.

Inside the building, the woman told detectives, she was trying to leave the women's bathroom when Marren forced his way in and assaulted her.

Marren, who has publicly denied the allegations, told detectives that the woman had tried to initiate contact and that he had rebuffed her.

Marren's attorney, Thomas W. Jennings, did not return a call seeking comment.

Marren was charged with involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, and indecent assault.

He was arraigned Monday before District Judge Daniel Baranoski, and released after posting $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for next Tuesday.