N.Y. Priest Pleads Not Guilty to Rape Charges in Mass.

WCVB
August 31, 2012

http://www.wcvb.com/news/local/metro/Ipswich-police-arrest-N-Y-priest-on-rape-charges/-/11971628/16437908/-/jmvrse/-/index.html

A New York priest has plead not guilty to five counts of raping a Massachusetts child decades ago.

Rev. Richard McCormick appeared in Salem Superior Court Friday to answer charges that he raped a boy at an Ipswich camp in the early 1980s.

McCormick was held on $1,000 bail. McCormick must remain with the Salesian society home in New Rochelle, the religious order to which he belongs. In addition, he must report to probation by phone weekly, make in person appearances on scheduled court dates, and cannot contact minors.

Ipswich police arrested the Rev. Richard McCormick Thursday afternoon in New Rochelle, N.Y. Police acted on an indictment warrant for five counts rape of a child in Ipswich in 1981 and 1982.

The victim was 11 and 12 at the time of the incident, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney's office said.

The victim and his brothers attended camp that McCormick worked at, the District Attorney's office said. The camp, located on County Road in Ipswich, catered to disadvantaged kids.

The indictments are a result of a joint investigation by the Ipswich Police Department and the Essex District Attorney's office.

Father Steve Dumais, who is vice provincial of the Salesian of Don Bosco order, spoke with reporters in court Friday. Dumais says he is there to support McCormick. "We are doing our very best to support the work of the local authorities as best we can," Dumais added.

McCormick is not actively working as a priest, but is still active in the order, Dumais said.