BOSTON -- A Middlesex County grand jury handed down sexually explicit indictments Tuesday against state Sen. James Marzilli, D-Arlington, charging him with crimes against women, the district attorney said.

The charges are based on accusations made by four women in Lowell who said Marzilli accosted them with sexually charged comments. The crimes are alleged to have taken place on the same day, June 3.

Read Details Of Indictment

The most serious charge against Marzilli is one count of attempt to commit indecent assault and battery.

He faces up to five years in prison if convicted on that charge.

"These are troubling allegations in which Senator Marzilli is alleged to have engaged in a string of highly inappropriate and sexually explicit acts against four separate women," District Attorney Gerard Leone said.

According to the indictment, Marzilli is accused of approaching a woman outside the Lowell Community Health Center and saying: “The sex is sweet, the sex is sweet, you want it, and you want to go with me.” The woman walked into the health center to get away from him.

In a second case, the indictment said Marzilli approached a woman and made explicit comments about her anatomy. The woman is reported to have then yelled: “Listen, take $20, go up to Merrimack Street after 5 p.m. and get yourself a hooker.”

The most serious charge involves a woman sitting on a bench on Middle Street. The indictment said Marzilli sat next to her and attempted to grab her "in a sexual manner."

Lowell police initially arrested Marzilli after accusations that he tried to grope a woman and harass another.

The 50-year-old legislator pleaded not guilty to those charges. Two other women then came forward, Leone said.

"These developments are not unexpected. It does not change our position with respect to the case," said Terrence Kennedy, an attorney for Marzilli. "Jim Marzilli intends to defend himself against all charges. Once an arraignment date has been set, he will plead not guilty to these charges."

Marzilli checked himself into a psychiatric hospital in early June for an undisclosed medical condition. He announced he would not seek re-election in September.

State Senate President Therese Murray said the Ethics Committee will begin its own investigation of Marzilli's conduct.