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	Judge: Dracut Man a Danger to Society By Lisa Redmond Lowell Sun June 4, 2006 http://www.lowellsun.com/local/ci_3898921 Lawrence - Describing Kevin F. Curlew as a "classic sexual predator," a Superior Court judge slapped the convicted Dracut child molester with a state prison sentence after he was convicted of molesting a young boy he befriended at a Mormon church. At a sentencing hearing this week, Salem Superior Court Judge Howard Whitehead said Curlew, 44, of 1700 Bridge St., Unit 1, was a "true danger to society," sentencing him to nine to 10 years in state prison, followed by 10 years probation, according to published reports. After a weeklong trial, Curlew, who acted as his own attorney, was convicted by a jury on charges that he sexually assaulted a then-9-year-old boy he befriended while volunteering at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Hill Street in Methuen. Curlew became a father figure to the boy, taking him to the Lowell Folk Festival in July 2004 and playing video games with him. It was during one video game that as the winner, Curlew ordered the boy to remove his clothing. Curlew's behavior escalated over a period of months to where Curlew molested the boy. The abuse continued on several occasions at the church, while the boy's mother attended church meetings. When questioned by Methuen police, Curlew confessed to what he had done. He told the boy not to tell anyone, but the 9-year-old told his mother, who told church staff, who then told the bishop, according to court records. The bishop told a church councilor who notified the state Department of Social Services. At least twice the boy told Curlew, "I'm going to kill you for this," court records indicate. Although this was Curlew's first conviction in Massachusetts, his Maine record dates back 25 years. In 1981, Curlew was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct in Auburn, Maine. The conviction was overturned because prosecutors failed to have the victim, a 4-year-old boy, testify. Curlew told Methuen police that he was guilty of the Maine crime. There was also Curlew's admission to inappropriate conduct with a child in Lowell, but there were no criminal charges in that case, according to prosecutor Maureen Wilson Leal. At the hearing, Curlew said he had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child and was raped after he was placed in a home for children with behavioral issues. While on probation, Curlew can have no contact with anyone under 16, the victim -- who is now 11 -- or his family. He must also participate in sex-offender treatment and register as a sex offender. Lisa Redmond's e-mail address is lredmond@lowellsun.com.
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