010212 john lysak mug horz.JPG

Former two-term Springfield City Councilor John A. Lysak was arrested at his neighborhood home Thursday morning on a warrant charging him with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

(THE REPUBLICAN FILE)

SPRINGFIELD — Former two-term Springfield City Councilor John A. Lysak was arrested at his neighborhood home Thursday morning on a warrant charging him with indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Springfield police executed the warrant, issued out of Northampton District Court, at Lysak's home at 80 Elijah St. at 6:25 a.m., Sgt. John Delaney, spokesman for the department, said.

Lysak's attorney said his client is denying the allegation and cooperating with investigators. "The fact that we are cooperating with an investigation that isn't even finished and they make an arrest? It just defies logic," said lawyer Charles Dolan.

Lysak, 36, announced his candidacy for the Ward 8 City Council seat last month. He was elected to the council in 2009 and 2011, defeating Orlando Ramos both times, before losing to Ramos in 2013.

According to court records, he is accused of one count of improperly touching a child under the age of 14 in August 2014. Following his arraignment, Lysak was released after being fitted with a GPS device, according to a spokeswoman for the Northwestern District Attorney's office. A pretrial hearing is set for July 9, she said.

Lysak, reached by telephone Friday morning, declined to comment on the case. He referred comment to his lawyer. Dolan said early Friday afternoon that Lysak "maintains his innocence" and that he entered a not-guilty plea during his arraignment in Northampton District Court.

Lysak was released on his own recognizance, Dolan said.

"Lysak is cooperating with the Northwestern District Attorney's office investigation into the matter," Dolan said.

He went on to say that he does not understand why authorities felt there was a need to arrest his client and that Lysak would have voluntarily turned himself in to the court system.