MASSACHUSETTS
WCVB
SALEM, Mass. —A former Roman Catholic priest convicted of sexually abusing children 13 years ago will be released after prosecutors lost their attempt have him classified as a sexually dangerous person.
Ronald Paquin, now 72, pleaded guilty in 2002 to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old altar boy at a Haverhill church over a period of three years. The rapes took place between 1989 and 1992, beginning when the victim was 12 years old.
Essex County prosecutors attempted to keep Paquin confined, but lost when neither of the experts who examined him this year found him to be sexually dangerous.
“Our contention is that Mr. Paquin poses a danger to the community,” District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “Unfortunately, we have no further legal options available to hold Mr. Paquin.”
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