Former Priest Convicted of Child Rape Found "Not Sexually Dangerous," to Be Freed

WHDH
October 2, 2015

http://www.whdh.com/story/30172718/former-priest-convicted-of-child-rape-found-not-sexually-dangerous-to-be-freed

The Essex District Attorney's office on Friday withdrew its petition to hold Ronald Paquin as a sexually dangerous person.

According to the DA, neither of the experts who examined him found him "sexually dangerous." The DA is required by law to withdraw its petition.

Paquin, a former priest in Haverhill, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape of a child in December 2002 and was sentenced to 12-15 years in state prison. The rapes took place in Haverhill between 1989 and 1992, beginning when the victim was 12 years old.

According to the law, a judge must find probable cause after which the person is evaluated by two independent "qualified examiners." If at least one of the qualified examiners finds the person sexually dangerous, the Commonwealth can proceed to a trial at which is must prove that the defendant meets the criteria for sexually dangerousness beyond a reasonable doubt.

Judge James Lang found probable cause on Aug. 20, 2015.

Paquin was evaluated and neither of them found him sexually dangerous.