For Immediate Release: March 21, 2008                                        
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 617-679-6522

Maynard Man Pleads Guilty To Sexual Assault Charges

WOBURN – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today that a Maynard man pleaded guilty yesterday to a series of sexual assaults on a victim between the ages of 14 and 18 years old.

Anthony Tyler, age 45, pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14. Tyler, a Maynard firefighter, was sentenced by Middlesex Superior Court Judge Wendie Gershengorn to three years to three years and one day in State Prison followed by five years probation with conditions.

“By pleading guilty, Anthony Tyler has admitted that he committed a series of abuses against this young victim,” District Attorney Leone said. “I want to thank the victim for bravely coming forward and explaining what happened to him. By doing so, he not only forced Mr. Tyler to be held accountable for his actions but very well may have prevented other young people from being victimized in the future.”

Tyler assaulted the victim on diverse dates, beginning in 2002 when the victim was 14-years old, through 2006, when the victim was a senior in high school.  The alleged abuse occurred in Maynard at the defendant’s home, as well as in a vehicle in Acton and Sudbury.  The defendant and the victim were known to one another.

On Monday, September 11, 2006, the abuse was reported to the Maynard Police Department.  Police contacted the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office’s Child Abuse Division, and together they commenced an investigation into the alleged assaults.  On Wednesday, October 11, 2006, Maynard Police arrested Tyler without incident at the Maynard Police Department.  Tyler was booked, and transported to Concord District Court for arraignment.

Tyler still faces rape and indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 charges in a separate case set to go to trial on July 22 with a final pre-trial conference on July 21.

The prosecutor assigned to this case and the ongoing case is Assistant District Attorney Beth Merachnik.  The victim witness advocates are Kara Grant and Susie Marshall

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