Winthrop police lieutenant charged with child rape, indecent assault and battery

BOSTON, December 27, 2023 – A lieutenant in the Winthrop police department was arraigned today in East Boston BMC on child rape and other related charges, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

JAMES FEELEY, 56, of Winthrop was charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Judge Joseph Griffin ordered Feeley held on $200,000 bail.  Feeley will return to court January 29 for a probable cause hearing.

Assistant District Attorney Benjamin Hui said the assaults occurred over the past year. Feeley was arrested last night after an investigation by State Police detectives assigned to Hayden’s office.

Hayden said his office has prosecutors and victim witness advocates specially trained to work with child victims of sexual assault.

“We have a far better understanding of the care and approach to child victims of violence and sexual assault than in the past, and this victim and the victim’s family will receive all the help and support they need as this case moves forward,” Hayden said.

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 and for survivors of abuse to receive help. 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. 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 should call the DCF Child at Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200.

All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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.

James Borghesani, Chief of Communications