Cops Say Church Leader Caught with 15-Year-Old
By Jessica Van Sack
Boston Herald
April 4, 2008
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1084920&srvc=rss
A school choir director and church leader in Worcester was behind bars yesterday on charges of statutory rape after cops allegedly found him in a parking lot with a 15-year-old boy and determined the two had a five-month "sexual relationship."
"This is a very disturbing incident involving a person who's supposed to be a mentor - he teaches young children," Worcester Police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst said.
Tyrone D. Forbes, 49, was held in lieu of $5,000 bail yesterday after pleading not guilty.
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| Tyrone D. Forbes allegedly had a five-month sexual relationship with a 15-year-old boy. Photo by Courtesy |
Judge Paul McGill ordered him to stay away from the alleged victim and wear a tracking bracelet in the event that he posts bail.
Forbes was placed on leave by the Seven Hills Charter School, where he has worked since August 2003. Police said Forbes was a friend of the teen's family.
Officer Robert Molinari was on patrol yesterday when he saw a 2001 Ford pickup parked in the unlit lot at Bennett Field on Main Street at 1:30 a.m.
The pickup began to drive away upon seeing the cruiser, and Molinari stopped the vehicle to investigate. The Special Crimes Unit interviewed Forbes and the teen and arrested Forbes on seven counts of statutory rape dating back to Nov. 2.
School Superintendent Krista Piazza released a statement yesterday saying the school was "surprised and disappointed" by the allegations.
"The staff member involved has immediately been placed on leave and has been instructed not to return to school property," the statement said. "We are offering support services to our students and their families to assist them in coping with these difficult issues . . . and ensure that all students and families feel comfortable reporting any concern."
Forbes' lawyer, E.J. Newcombe, could not be reached.
Police said Forbes is an elder at the local Mount Sinai Church of God in Christ. But a man who picked up the phone at the listing for church Bishop Robert L. Webbs said Forbes has not been a member of the church "in six or seven years."
"He never told them he was a member of the church; he told them he was not a member," said the man, who called himself a church associate but refused to identify himself.
Forbes is due back in court May 2.
Contact: jvansack@bostonherald.com
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