Ex-priest, Now 72, Still a Danger

By Julie Manganis
Salem News
July 31, 2015

http://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/expert-ex-priest-now-still-a-danger/article_2e85e9cd-9149-54a0-b5f7-d82fcbb5c958.html

Normally, former priest Ronald Paquin's age, 72, would make him statistically far less likely to re-offend, a psychologist testified during a hearing Friday in Salem Superior Court.

But the defrocked Haverhill priest, who completed a 12- to 15-year prison term this spring for rape and abuse of a child, a boy he abused for three years, is no ordinary sex offender, Dr. Gregg Belle testified.

While taking part in group sex offender therapy at the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater in 2012, Belle testified, the then-70-year-old Paquin began "grooming" another inmate, described as a "young-looking male," in apparent hopes of pursuing a sexual relationship with him.

"He's a statistical outlier," said Belle.

That's one of the reasons that Essex County prosecutors are hoping to keep Paquin, the former pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Haverhill, civilly committed as a sexually dangerous person for as long as possible.

During the hearing, Judge James Lang heard from Belle, a psychologist who works as a forensic examiner in sex offender cases. He'll hear from a defense expert on Aug. 18 before ruling whether there is evidence to proceed with the petition to keep Paquin locked up. A trial would then follow.

"It is my opinion that Mr. Paquin does present as a sexually dangerous person," said Belle, under questioning by prosecutor Jennifer Kirshenbaum.

Belle pointed to Paquin's conviction for child rape, as well as his behavior before and after the crimes for which he was convicted.