A longtime Massachusetts cop has been held on a $200,000 bail for allegedly raping a child under the age of 12, after reportedly confessing to the crimes in a cemetery on Christmas.
Winthrop Police lieutenant James Feeley, 56, of Winthrop, Massachusetts, was arraigned in East Boston District Court on Wednesday on charges including aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14, a Massachusetts State Police spokesperson said.
The criminal complaint alleged that Feeley, who had served with his force for 21 years and was promoted in 2020, had ‘sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse’ with the victim, though it is not currently known exactly when or where the alleged attacks took place.
The victim, who has not been named, was taken to Boston Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, and claimed the sexual assaults began a year ago.
Feeley, who served as a sergeant in the department for three years before his promotion and was a reserve officer for eight before that, reportedly confessed the sick crimes as he stood over his parents’ graves at Belle Isle Cemetery.
Winthrop Police lieutenant James Feeley (pictured) was charged with aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14
He was was arraigned in East Boston District Court (pictured) on Wednesday
Feeley’s brother called Winthrop Sergeant Sean Delehanty, telling him Feeley ‘was in a really bad way.’
Delehanty passed the warning on to his brother, Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty, and asked that he meet the lieutenant at the cemetery, and also travelled there himself.
Upon arrival, the sergeant told him, ‘whatever is happening the answer is not on his hip,’ referring to the gun Feeley had on him.
Feeley allegedly replied: ‘Wait until I tell you what I’ve done.’
The chief later arrived, and Feeley reportedly confessed to both brothers.
Believing he was suicidal, the chief took Feeley’s gun away from him and had him taken to Massachusetts General Hospital to have a psychiatric evaluation.
Defense Attorney Nitin Dalal told the judge at a court hearing that Feeley has a place to stay in another community with one of his brothers and that Feeley brought what happened to light.
‘He is feeling guilt, remorse, embarrassment, humiliation,’ Dalal said, adding that Feeley is in need of mental health treatment.
Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden said in a statement that ‘this victim and the victim’s family will receive all the help and support they need as this case moves forward.’
Feeley, currently on bail, has been ordered to wear an ankle monitor and stay away from the alleged victim’s home, as well as to surrender his passport, firearms and to have no contact with any child under the age of 14.
Massachusetts’ Department of Children and Families told local media: ‘DCF is investigating these disturbing allegations.’
Chief Terence Delehanty said in a statement: ‘James Feeley has been placed on administrative leave from the Winthrop Police Department pending the outcome of a criminal investigation headed by State Police Detectives assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office.’
The police investigation is ongoing, and Feeley is due back in court at the end of January for a probable cause hearing.