On the day jury selection for trial was to begin, the former youth hockey coach in Marblehead admitted to raping and sexually assaulting eight boys today in Salem Superior Court.
Christopher Prew, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Rape of a Child (greater than 10-year age difference), 14 counts of Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14 and one count of Attempted Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14. The eight victims were between the ages of 7 and 13 at the time of the assaults.
Judge James Lang sentenced the defendant to 13 to 15 years in state prison, followed by 10 years of probation. While on probation the defendant is order to stay away from and have no contact with the victims, stay out of the town of Marblehead, wear a GPS monitoring device, have no unsupervised contact with children under 16, do not work or volunteer with anyone under 18, complete a mental health evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary, complete sex offender treatment and register with the Sex Offender Registry Board.
Had the case gone to trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall would have introduced evidence that would have proven that the defendant worked as a youth hockey instructor in Marblehead and, through this role, developed relationships with numerous families whose sons played hockey. On multiple occasions, primarily between January 1, 2017 and February 5, 2018, the defendant fondled or attempted to fondled the boys genitals or buttocks and placed the boys’ hands on his own genitals. On one occasion, the defendant raped one of the boys.
ADA MacDougall recommended a 15 to 18 year prison sentence followed by 10 years of probation.
“While I fully understand that nothing can restore what the defendant so callously took from the victims and their families, it is my fervent hope that this plea will make clear that none of this was their fault,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “I commend the boys for their bravery in coming forward and for their willingness to testify at trial.”
ADA MacDougall was assisted by Essex Victim Witness Advocate Michelle Defeo. MacDougall also praised the work of Marblehead Police detectives Theresa Gay, Sean Brady and Brendan Finnegan.
The defendant was represented by Attorney Kelli Porges and received 1282 days of jail credit.
