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Former Salem officer claims jailhouse sexual assault was consensual

SALEM, Mass. — The trial is underway for a Salem Police Officer accused of raping and assaulting a man in his custody.

Brian Butler has since resigned from the police department – since the alleged assault in 2016.

Prosecutor Kate MacDougall says her client was raped by Officer Butler while in custody on Halloween night in 2016.

Her client was taken into the Salem Police Department for being intoxicated and flooding his hotel room on Halloween night.

The 28-year old man says he took his clothes off in his jail cell since they were soaking wet.

Pretty soon, the victim says Officer Butler offered him a blanket and then sexually assaulted him.

Prosecutors say Butler also took the man into a mop closet to perform sexual acts.

"He will tell you about the revulsion that he felt, the fear, the confusion and still the fog between him and figuring out what he could do," MacDougall said.

But, the defense argues this was all consensual.

"The facts will still show you, unpleasant as it is, unprofessional as it is, disgusting as it may be, it is not rape or indecent assault and battery when you consent," defense attorney Kevin Mitchell said.

MORE: Trial of ex-officer charged in police station rape underway
Testimonies will continue on Friday, and the jurors will visit the Salem Police Department to see where the alleged assault took place.