THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 27, 2021 Page 15 Former hockey coach pleads guilty to child rape and sexual assault M ARBLEHEAD–On the day jury selection for trial was to begin, the former youth hockey coach in Marblehead admitted to raping and sexually assaulting eight boys today in Salem Superior Court. Christopher Prew, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of Aggravated Rape of a Child (greater than 10-year age difference), 14 counts of Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14 and one count of Attempted Indecent Assault & Battery on a Child Under 14. The eight victims were between the ages of 7 and 13 at the time of the assaults. Judge James Lang sentenced the defendant to 13 to 15 years in state prison, followed by 10 years of probation. While on probation the defendant is order to stay away from and have no contact with the victims, stay out of the town of Marblehead, wear a GPS monitoring device, have no unsupervised contact with children under 16, do not work or volunteer with anyone under 18, complete a mental health evaluation and any treatment deemed necessary, complete sex offender treatment and register with the Sex Offender Registry Board. Had the case gone to trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall would have introduced evidence that would have proven that the defendant worked as a youth hockey instructor in Marblehead and, through this role, developed relationships with numerous families whose sons played hockey. On multiple occasions, primarily between January 1, 2017 and February 5, 2018, the defendant fondled or attempted to fondled the boys genitals or buttocks and placed the boys’ hands on his own genitals. On one occasion, the defendant raped one of the boys. ADA MacDougall recommended a 15 to 18 year prison sentence followed by 10 years of probation. “While I fully understand that nothing can restore what the defendant so callously took from the victims and their families, it is my fervent hope that this plea will make clear that none of this was their fault,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “I commend the boys for their bravery in coming forward and for their willingness to testify at trial.” ADA MacDougall was assisted by Essex Victim Witness Advocate Michelle Defeo. MacDougall also praised the work of Marblehead Police detectives Theresa Gay, Sean Brady and Brendan Finnegan. The defendant was represented by Attorney Kelli Porges and received 1282 days of jail credit. DEA announces review of international operations T he Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) recently announced a comprehensive review of DEA’s international operations and foreign footprint, including administrative and financial support for those operations from DEA headquarters. Administrator Anne Milgram has recommended a top to bottom review of foreign operations that will be overseen by an independent team. As part of the review, the team will talk to DEA personnel posted in DEA’s foreign offices and headquarters who perform this critical work. The threat of illicit foreign drugs to the health and safety of our citizens has never been greater. DEA’s international operations are critical to the success of its mission and a comprehensive review of DEA’s international operations is needed to ensure maximum effectiveness and accountability in today’s world. Global threats, including international cartels, narco-terrorist violence, and precursor chemicals flowing from other countries, are endangering the health and safety of the American public. Currently, DEA has 91 foreign field offices in 69 countries across the world. These offices have seen an exponential increase of foreign-sourced drugs such as fentanyl, and their resultant danger to American citizens. “This review will provide recommendations for my consideration upon completion,” said Milgram. “Specifically, I expect the team to provide an assessment of DEA’s current international operational capacity, and to identify areas for improvement to ensure DEA’s international operations are impactful and effective, with the appropriate structures, procedures, and controls to ensure integrity and accountability.” The DEA appreciates the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) acknowledgement that DEA’s work through DEA-supported foreign law enforcement units is paramount to DEA’s global operations. DEA’s mission to protect the safety and health of the American public demands effective international operations. The DEA appreciates the OIG’s efforts to identify areas for improvement in DEA Headquarters management of these programs during 2017 through 2019, the period covered by the OIG’s audit. The DEA is committed to enhancing what works and fixing what does not so that we can maintain these critical partnerships and thus, the DEA concurs with the ten recommendations in the OIG’s report.
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