New York Man Arraigned on Child Abuse Charges Dating Back to the Late 1970s

WOBURN – A former employee of the Arlington Boys and Girls Club was arraigned today on charges in connection with multiple incidents of alleged child abuse that took place in the late 1970s to 1980, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today.

Paul Collins, 62, of Centereach, New York, was arraigned in Cambridge District Court on charges of rape of a child by force, indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14 (3 counts), and open and gross lewdness.  Cambridge District Court Judge Roanne Sragow ordered the defendant held on $250,000 cash bail with the following conditions: no contact with any victims/witnesses, wear a GPS monitor, no unsupervised contact with children under 16, no work or volunteer work involving contact with children under 16, check in with probation weekly and surrender passport.

The defendant’s next court date is June 17 for a probable cause hearing.

“This defendant used his position within the boys and girls club to gain access to and allegedly assault these victims,” District Attorney Ryan said.  “Despite the passage of time, we will move forward and hold the defendant accountable for his actions while seeking justice for the victims.”

Collins was arrested May 17, 2013 without incident at his home in Centereach, New York by the United States Marshal's New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force and the Arlington Police Department, with the assistance of the Suffolk County New York Police Department.  He was arraigned May 18 on a fugitive from justice charge at the Suffolk County New York District Court and waived extradition.

In January of this year, Arlington Police learned of accusations against another former employee, not the defendant, who is now deceased, stemming from similar activity that allegedly took place at the Arlington Boys and Girls Club.

The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, working with the Arlington Police Department and the current management of the Club,launched an immediate investigation into the allegations.  During that investigation, authorities learned of accusations against the defendant who was employed at the Club for several years until 1980, when he moved out of Massachusetts.

The charges allegedly involve several male victims, now in their mid-40s, who met the defendant through their membership at the Club in the 1970s.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is innocent until proven guilty.   

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. The Victim Witness Advocate is Susie Marshall.