A Haverhill School Board member is facing charges after allegedly groping a teenager, court records show.

Cheryl Ferguson was arraigned in Haverhill District Court on Wednesday and faces a charge of indecent assault and assault on a person 14 or older. According to a police report obtained by WBZ NewsFerguson was arrested at her home Tuesday night after the alleged incident.

“You’re scary,” Ferguson allegedly told the teenage victim

WBZ said the alleged victim was standing outside a 7-Eleven on Dudley Street in Haverhill wearing a Halloween mask when Ferguson approached him and allegedly groped his buttocks. She then went into the store, but when she left again she allegedly ran her hands over the teenager’s chest.

The teenager’s mother reported the alleged incident to police, who arrived at Ferguson’s home later that evening for questioning. Ferguson told police he was playing Keno at the 7-Eleven and as he was leaving the store, he poked the victim in the chest and said, “You’re scary,” WBZ News reported. Police then arrested her, court documents show.

In a joint statement, Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and Superintendent Margaret Marotta said police informed them of the allegations Wednesday.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to restrict the member’s access to the school premises and are taking other precautionary measures until further notice,” the joint statement said. “The safety of our students is our first concern.”

They declined to comment on the allegations themselves because of their criminal nature.

Ferguson pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday. Judge Susan McNeil released Ferguson without bail, according to court documents. As part of her release conditions, Ferguson must abide by a curfew between 9pm and 5am, during which she must wear a GPS tracker. The conditions also state that Ferguson cannot have contact with minors.

Ferguson has a criminal record

Court records show Ferguson previously faced criminal charges four other times.

In 2006, she was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and a marked lanes violation. These charges were later dismissed.

In 2018, she was charged with her second DUI offence. Ferguson was put on probation. In September 2019, she pleaded not guilty to driving an uninsured vehicle. Both cases were dismissed at the Commonwealth’s request.

Later in 2019, she was charged with assault and battery. As a result, she was on probation from January 28, 2021 to April 20, 2021.

Representation for Ferguson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

---

Eva Levin is a general contributor for Boston.com. She covers breaking news and local news from Boston and beyond.

---