Guilty Verdict, State Prison Sentence in Child Sexual Abuse Case
BOSTON, March 8, 2022— A man who was convicted last week of repeatedly sexually abusing a young child was sentenced to up to six years in state prison yesterday, District Attorney Kevin Hayden said.
On Tuesday, March 1, a Suffolk Superior Court jury convicted MACK McCRAY, 58, of two counts of indecent assault and battery of a child under 14. Yesterday, Judge James Lang sentenced McCray to four to six years in state prison and a concurrent term of seven years of probation. During that time, he must submit to GPS monitoring, stay away from and have no direct or indirect contact with the victim, have no contact with any child under age 16 and complete sex offender treatment.
Assistant District Attorney Amanda Paull of the DA’s Child Protection Unit had recommended a sentence of nine to 10 years in state prison followed by five years of probation.
ADA Paull presented evidence and testimony at trial to prove that McCray sexually assaulted the victim at a Mattapan residence. The victim was approximately 8 years old when the abuse occurred. She testified at trial that McCray threatened her to ensure her silence. The victim, now in her 20s, disclosed the abuse to a family member in 2018. A Suffolk County grand jury indicted McCray in 2019.
“It takes incredible courage for a survivor of child sexual assault to disclose their trauma. The survivor in this case not only disclosed the abuse to a loved one, but then to law enforcement and to a courtroom full of strangers in front of the man who stole her childhood. I’m so proud of her for the grace, courage and strength she has shown at every step,” DA Hayden said. “Not every survivor makes the choice to come forward to law enforcement. We respect that decision. I want every survivor to know that my office is available to them. We are prepared to provide you the trauma-informed services that you deserve from a team of compassionate professionals in a victim-centered environment.”
The victim provided a written victim impact statement to Judge Lang before McCray was sentenced yesterday.
“I have dealt with depression and anxiety because of him. This trauma has affected my mental health through my childhood and my whole life. As a result of this, I have kept my emotions and feeling bottled up for too long,” she wrote of the impact of the abuse she suffered.
While the victims and witnesses of any crime should call 911 in an emergency, there are additional resources available to report suspected crimes against children. In Suffolk County, survivors of child abuse and exploitation and their non-offending caretakers can receive comprehensive services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County. The CAC can be reached at 617-779-2146. Survivors may also contact the Child Protection Unit at the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office at 617-619-4300. Anyone who believes that a child in Massachusetts may be the victim of abuse can call the Department of Children and Families’ Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. Those concerned that a child is being exploited online may report a Cybertip to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST or www.cybertipline.com.
McCray is currently facing similar charges in Plymouth County for offenses he is accused of committing in that jurisdiction.
Catherine McGuane of the DA’s Child Protection Unit is the assigned victim witness advocate. McCray was represented by attorney Ian Davis.
James Borghesani, Chief of Communications
Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden’s office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 20,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.