Seabrook firefighter resolves sex assault case with plea deal to lesser charge

SEABROOK — A Seabrook firefighter, initially charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault, has accepted a plea deal to resolve the case.

Christopher Tilley, 41, of Seabrook, entered a nolo contendere plea on Friday in Rockingham Superior Court to one misdemeanor count of simple assault. He had been indicted in 2023 on two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault, but those charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement by the Rockingham County attorney’s office.

A nolo plea means Tilley is accepting the charge and agreeing to the sentence without pleading guilty or not guilty.

As part of the negotiated deal, Tilley will receive a one-year jail sentence, which will be suspended for three years under the condition he remains on good behavior.

A notice of nolle prosequi, which refers to a dropped charge, was filed by Rockingham County Assistant County Attorney Roger Chadwick on Friday. Rockingham County Attorney Patricia Conway did not immediately respond to an inquiry into why the aggravated felonious sexual assault charges were dropped. A New Hampshire court phone operator said no date has been set for Tilley’s plea and sentencing.

Tilley was indicted in the fall of 2023 for allegedly having non-consensual sexual intercourse with a woman in Seabrook. The indictments stated that the assault occurred between April 5 and April 9, 2022. The new simple assault charge alleges that Tilley “purposely caused unprivileged contact” with the victim by “having her sit in his lap.”

Tilley has been with the Seabrook Fire Department since 2013. He was placed on administrative leave after his arrest.

Town Manager Bill Manzi said Friday he was aware of Tilley’s plea. He said his employment status has not changed since he was placed on leave.

“No determination of change in status as of yet,” Manzi said.

Seabrook Police Chief Brett Walker said his department took an initial report of the alleged assault. He said they turned the case over to the Hampton Police Department after consulting with the Rockingham County attorney’s office.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seabrook firefighter resolves sex assault case with plea deal