BLOOMINGTON - Former Bloomington police officer Jeff Pelo does not believe he can receive a fair trial in McLean County on charges that he raped four women, according to a motion filed Friday by his defense lawyer.

Pelo was a sergeant with 17 years of experience with the department when he was arrested in June 2006 and charged with 27 counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault of four women.

He was stopped initially outside a woman's home and questioned by a patrol officer responding to a call about a potential break-in. The sexual assault charges followed several weeks later.

Chicago defense lawyer Michael Rosenblat said in his motion for a new trial location that extensive news coverage of the case prevents the 43-year-old former cop from obtaining a fair and impartial jury for his trial set to begin April 7. Rosenblat claims that about 180 news stories have been published or broadcast on Pelo's case.

Rosenblat also asks that the state's attorney's office pay an estimated $10,000 for a public opinion survey of 200 potential jurors to determine their sentiments on Pelo's case. Pelo cannot afford to pay for the survey, Rosenblat said.

"A public opinion survey of the community from which the pool of prospective jurors will be drawn is an appropriate vehicle by which to determine the nature and extent of any prejudice in the minds of the prospective jurors, which may require a change of place of trial," said Rosenblat's motion for a publicly funded survey.

A March 10 hearing date is set on pending motions in Pelo's case.