Boston Criminal Lawyer Blog
Thomas DeBlois, a church choir director, was arrested on Saturday for alleged sexual misconduct. The 47-year-old Woburn man is charged with the Massachusetts enticement of a child. Now, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation, the Archdiocese of Boston has placed him on leave without pay.
DeBlois, who is St. Charles Borromeo Parish’s music and choir director, has worked there since 1992. He used to be a music teacher at the parish’s elementary school.
All parish volunteers and employees that work with children must undergo criminal background checks each year. The last time DeBlois was screened was in January. At the time, he had no criminal entries on his record.
DeBlois’ arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday. If convicted, he could be facing a maximum five years in prison and a lifetime as a member of Massachusetts’s sex offenders registry.
Merely having your name linked to a possible sexual crime can ruin your reputation, damage your career, and place a huge strain on your personal life. A conviction for a Massachusetts sex crime can deprive you of opportunities in the future even after you have served your time behind bars. This can be especially devastating if you were in fact not guilty.
The outcome of your criminal case is so important that the rest of your life could depend on it. This is one of the many reasons why you must be represented by an experienced Boston criminal defense law firm that knows how to successfully defend you.
Choir director faces sex charge, Boston.com, May 31, 2010
Church choir leader in sex rap, Boston Herald, May 31, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Chapter 265: Section 26C. Definition of “entice”; enticement of child under age 16; punishment, The General Laws of Massachusetts
Archdiocese of Boston
