A 63-year-old Worcester man is facing child rape and indecent assault charges after police say he lured a child under 14 into the basement of the victim's family church in Milford and assaulted them there. Raul Feliciano was arrested following an investigation that began in September and was released on $15,000 bail, with an arraignment expected this week.
According to Boston 25 News, the alleged victim told police that Feliciano lured them into the church basement, where the assault took place. Investigators said the probe began last month, and detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Feliciano on October 23 at around 9 a.m.
Feliciano, who lives in Worcester, was charged with rape of a child and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14.
What Massachusetts Law Says About the Charges
Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 13B, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 carries a potential sentence of up to 10 years in state prison, or up to two and a half years in a house of correction. The more serious charge Feliciano faces, rape of a child, falls under Chapter 265, Section 23, which covers unlawful sexual intercourse with a child under 16 when the defendant abuses the child and allows for a sentence of life or any term of years in state prison.
Feliciano was released on $15,000 bail following his arrest, per the same account, and is expected to be arraigned on the charges this week. The evidence reviewed does not indicate whether he has entered a plea or what, if any, court action has followed his arrest.
Investigation Still Unfolding
Police have not released additional details about how the September investigation began or what led detectives to seek the warrant in Milford. The allegations against Feliciano have not been proven in court, and the case remains under investigation as it heads toward arraignment.
