Alleged Arlington Boys & Girls Club Abuser in Court Today

The Long Island, N.Y., man arrested Friday in connection with the investigation into sexual-abuse allegations at the Arlington Boys & Girls Club will be arraigned today in Cambridge District Court in Medford, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Paul A. Collins, 62, of 31 Pleasant Ave., Centerreach, N.Y., has been charged with rape of a child by force, indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14 (three counts) and open and gross lewdness, according to the district attorney’s office. Collins was arrested Friday at his Centerreach home without incident by Arlington police and the United States Marshal’s New York/New Jersey Regional Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from the Suffolk County (N.Y.) Police Department.

Collins was arraigned Saturday in New York and waived extradition, setting up Monday’s arraignment in Cambridge.

Collins’ crimes allegedly occurred in the late 1970s, early 1980s, according to Arlington police. He was a club counselor until 1980, according to the district attorney’s office.

The district attorney’s office said that the charges involve several male victims, now in their mid-40s, who met Collins through their membership at the club. Arlington police had said that there were five unknown victims.

The Arlington Boys & Girls Club released the following statement, via its executive director, Derek Curran.

“The Arlington Boys and Girls Club is deeply disturbed to learn that Paul Collins, a former employee of the Club, was arrested [Friday] in New York on charges that he sexually abused children at the Club several decades ago.

“Although this matter is not related to another former and now deceased employee, among our goals with that disclosure was to create an environment where anyone with any information about possible sexual abuse is encouraged to come forward and contact the Middlesex District Attorney’s Child Abuse Unit or the Arlington Police Department. We have been working cooperatively with the Arlington Police throughout the course of their investigation in recognition that no child should ever experience the trauma of abuse of any kind. Our thoughts and prayers are with all victims.”