Rhode Island state Sen. Nicholas Kettle pleaded not guilty Monday to charges that he twice extorted a former legislative page to engage in sex in 2011.

It’s unclear if the alleged victim, Zach Farnum, was a minor at the time. Court documents named Farnum as the victim of Kettle’s alleged extortion attempts. State Police would not comment on that question or whether they are continuing to investigate the legislative page program at the Statehouse.

Farnum worked as a page in the state Senate in 2011 and 2012. Pages help lawmakers with errands related to the legislative process. A spokeswoman for Farnum said he now lives in Tennessee where he is a successful music executive. She said Farnum has spent years coming to terms with his experiences while a legislative page in Rhode Island, and has no comment on the ongoing investigation.

Kettle (R-Coventry) was released on $50,000 personal recognizance following a Providence Superior Court appearance and he left court without speaking to reporters. One of his lawyers, Paul DiMaio, said Kettle denies the allegations in the newly unsealed indictment.

“I asked him to wrack his mind, any possible conduct for his behalf, that would have forced somebody to do something that they didn’t want to do,” DiMaio said, speaking with reporters outside of court. “The answer was ‘no.’ “

DiMaio noted that Farnum ran against Kettle as an independent in 2014. The alleged victim was 20 at the time. Asked if the extortion charges against Kettle were political, DiMaio said, “I don’t know. I don’t want to say that. I have no idea. That’s awful strange.” Based on his understanding of the case, DiMaio said, he’s confident that Kettle will win his case.

According to a newly unsealed grand jury indictment, Kettle “did by verbal communication, maliciously threaten injury to the person or reputation of [Farnum], with the intent to compel [Farnum] to do an act against his will, to wit to engage in sexual penetration.” Both counts allege these acts occurred in 2011.

Kettle, 27, who was first elected in 2010, was arrested Friday afternoon on the two counts of extortion and a charge of video voyeurism. State Police say his arrest came shortly after his indictment.

DiMaio said at least seven troopers were involved in Kettle’s arrest and he called that excessive. “In my experience, I think Whitey Bulger had less people arresting him than this kid did,” DiMaio said. “Had somebody called me, I would have brought him down. He would have been bailed out that day and brought home.”

Instead, Kettle was held over the weekend in the hospital in the intake center at the state prison, to keep him separate from prisoners.

State Police Lt. Col. Joseph Philbin said four detective and two uniformed troopers — “which is normal” — were involved in making the arrest of Kettle, at a family business. He said the case was not treated differently from other cases, “just investigated like all other cases.”

Philbin said it’s rare that people facing charges are allowed to turn themselves in, rather than being arrested.

Philbin declined comment on why the charges, for alleged actions in 2011, were not brought until 2018.

Kettle is due back in Superior Court on the Kettle charges on May 9.

Meanwhile, a court document shed more light on the video voyeurism charge against Kettle.

According to an affidavit, State Police were contacted by Kettle’s girlfriend on January 14. She told investigators she had found nude pictures of herself on Kettle’s electronic devices that were taken without her consent. According to the affidavit, Kettle shared the photos of his girlfriend with another man, and they discussed performing sexual acts on each other’s female partners.

Kettle and his legal team made no indication that he will resign his seat.

The chairmen of the Rhode Island Democratic and Republican parties are among those who have called on Kettle to step down.

Senate President Dominick Ruggerio said Kettle will be voted out of the Senate if he doesn’t resign.

“First and most importantly, my thoughts are with the victims,” Ruggerio said in a statement. “As president of the Senate, as a father, and as a grandfather, I am absolutely horrified and disgusted by these allegations. We in the Senate are deeply shaken.”  

“Upon reviewing today’s indictment and seeing the severity of the charges, I again call upon Mr. Kettle to resign from the Senate immediately,” Ruggerio added. “If he refuses to resign, the Senate will pursue his expulsion from the chamber pursuant to the Rhode Island Constitution.”

“The Senate is committed to a healthy and safe working environment for all. I have asked my chief legal counsel to conduct an immediate review of the page program. We have spoken to most of the pages to ensure that they are aware of their rights in the workplace as well as procedures for reporting anything inappropriate.”

Senate Minority Leader Dennis Algiere (R-Westerly) also renewed his call for Kettle to go: “The allegations contained in today’s indictment are extremely serious. My thoughts are with the victims of the abhorrent behavior that has been alleged. I again call upon Senator Kettle to do resign from the Senate. If he does not, I will be working with Senate President Ruggerio to expel him from the chamber.”

This report has been updated.