Former Somerville Priest Arrested on Child Rape Charges

CBS Boston
September 7, 2012

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2012/09/07/former-somerville-priest-arrested-on-child-rape-charges/

Reverend Paul LaCharite, formerly of St. James Episcopal Church in Somerville.

SOMERVILLE (CBS) – A former Somerville priest was arrested Friday on child rape charges. Reverend Paul LaCharite, formerly of St. James Episcopal Church, is alleged to have abused a child for more than 10 years.

"We allege that this defendant, holding a trusted position within the Episcopal Church, indecently assaulted and touched the victim over several years, only ending his 10 year long predatory abuse of the victim when the defendant left the church," District Attorney Leone said.

Authorities say the victim and his family were longtime parishioners at the Somerville church, and the priest began inappropriately touching the victim in his office during the 1990s. The abuse is alleged to have progressed over a ten year period to include several indecent assault and batteries and assaults with the intent rape a child.

The victim says the abuse ended when he was a teenager and left the church.

The victim came forward to authorities to reveal the priest's alleged long-time abuse of him this week.

The 65-year-old former priest was arrested Friday afternoon on one count of assault to rape a child and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child.

The investigation is ongoing.