Arraignment delayed for ex-trooper accused of sexual assault

SAPULPA, Okla. (AP) – A man accused of sexually assaulting three women during traffic stops when he was an Oklahoma state trooper has asked for some of the charges against him to be dismissed.

Eric Roberts was due in court Tuesday to be arraigned on charges of second-degree rape, sexual battery, forcible sodomy, seeking a bribe and embezzlement.

Before the hearing, Roberts’ attorneys filed motions seeking to dismiss most of the charges. A judge set a hearing on those motions for Sept. 17.

The allegations came to light last year when a woman filed a federal lawsuit alleging Roberts raped her following a traffic stop. Two more women later made similar allegations.

Roberts was suspended from the force in July 2014 and resigned two months later following his arrest.

He is free on bond.