Principal Confessed to Sex Assault

By Nancy Krause
WPRI
January 16, 2014

http://www.wpri.com/news/massachusetts/ap-massachusetts/attleboro-school-principal-charged-with-sex-abuse_82478666

[with video]

The principal of an Attleboro school accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a female student over several years admitted to the allegations, according a police report obtained by Eyewitness News.

The Rev. Jeffrey Nichols, 47, pleaded not guilty to several charges against him, including aggravated indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.

Tonight on Eyewitness News: Hear from Nichols' Brother

According to the police report, a student told officers Nichols, a principal at Grace Baptist Christian Academy and assistant pastor at Grace Baptist Church, began assaulting her in 2008 - when she was a 13-year-old seventh grader - until June of 2013.

The report stated the student told police Nichols exposed himself to her several times, touched her inappropriately and frequently asked her for sexual favors. She told police she "continually denied his requests for sexual favors."

After interviewing the student, police said they located Nichols at his Fourth St. home, and brought him to the police station for an interview. According to the police report, Nichols admitted to all of the allegations and officers placed him under arrest.

Nichols' brother Troy stood by his brother, saying he is the 'best there is'.

“My brother is one of the best there is, and sadly to the community one thing will condemn him but I know in gods eyes it doesn’t."

Eyewitness News contacted the pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Rev. Jeff Bailey, who told us he immediately fired Nichols upon hearing the allegations.

“After that first initial 20 minutes I just said to him, you do realize you’re fired immediately as of right this moment," said Rev. Bailey. "Secondly, I want you to go home and get your fairs in order the best that you can, and tomorrow morning I expect that you turn yourself into the police.”

Nichols was ordered held on $25,000 bail after pleading not guilty.