Firefighter, Ex-Masconomet Hockey Coach Charged With Child Rape

BOXFORD, MA — A North Shore firefighter raped a child when he was on the coaching staff of high school hockey team, prosecutors said Friday. Andrew LeColst, 39, was charged with three counts of rape of a child and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, the Essex County District Attorney's Office said Friday.

Authorities said LeColst raped the victim between 2003 and 2005 while on Masconomet's coaching staff. The victim was between 13 and 15 when the alleged rapes occurred.

Masconomet is a regional high school that serves the towns of Boxford, Middleton and Topsfield.

LeColst is currently a firefighter in Middleton. He has been placed on paid leave, Town Administrator Andrew Sheehan said.

Middle Fire Chief Thomas Martinuk did not comment when reached by email, directing questions to Sheehan. According to the town website, LeColst was hired in 2008.

LeColst will be arraigned in Salem Superior Court Monday.