First the FLASHBACK:
"Former Medford soccer coaches face charges in rape of girl, 13" by John R. Ellement, Globe Staff | December 23, 2009
SOMERVILLE - Two former Medford youth soccer coaches were charged yesterday with raping a 13-year-old girl about six years ago, and Middlesex prosecutors warned that more victims may be discovered.
Roger Lau and Thomas Heinz are now both 26, but were in their late teens and early 20s when the alleged rapes took place, prosecutors said. Their lawyers said the two were wrongly accused....
Youth soccer officials did not return e-mails and telephone calls seeking comment, but posted a note on the group’s website, at medfordsoccer.com. “Medford Soccer is troubled by the allegations against two former coaches that became public,’’ the statement said. “Medford Soccer has cooperated fully with authorities involved in the investigation and will continue to do so.’’
Heinz’s father is identified on the website as the town coordinator and liaison for referees. The group did not address his status. In an interview later yesterday, Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. said the alleged rapes took place between April 2003 and November 2004. He said that the investigation began last month and that more charges could be forthcoming. He also said more victims could come forward.
“These girls at the time were 13 and 14 years old,’’ Leone said. “They didn’t even know what they were doing was wrong or was bad. Now, six or seven years later, they have matured into young women. They know, one, this is wrong; two, I was victimized; and, three, I can tell someone.’’
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"Ex-Medford coaches are indicted on child rape charges" By Stewart Bishop, Globe Correspondent | February 6, 2010
Two former Medford soccer coaches were indicted on child rape charges yesterday, prosecutors said....
Both men are accused of raping the same girl, while they were coaching an under-14 girls soccer team in Medford....
The victim, who was 13 to 14 years old over the period of time, told authorities she was involved in a sexual relationship with Lau for over a year....
Prosecutors said Lau initially lured the then 13-year-old victim to his house to watch a movie, but then had sex with her and continued the relationship for several months. Heinz allegedly raped the victim at Lau’s house while Lau was having sex with an unidentified female in the same room, prosecutors said.
Both Lau and Heinz have pleaded not guilty to all charges, and lawyers for the two have said the men were wrongly accused.
During their arraignment in December, Lau’s lawyer, Jason Thomas said, “We believe that once all the investigating is done, these complaints will be unmerited.’’
Could be; not like police have never framed anyone.Hard for me to believe the kid would want to reopen the wounds if it were a lie, but....
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