Crime & Safety
Former Newburyport City Councilor Charged With Child Rape
Bert Reed, an ex-city councilor and School Committee member, allegedly enticed the victim over the internet.
NEWBURYPORT, MA — A former Newburyport city council president and School Committee member has been accused of child rape after allegedly having sex with a child he met on the internet.
Bert Reed, 42, was arrested Friday evening and charged with three counts of rape and abuse of a child, enticement of a child under 16, disseminating of matter harmful to minors, and possession of child pornography.
Reed was held without bail during his arraignment Monday at Newburyport District Court.
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Reed currently works as part of Gordon College's Physical Plant staff. He has been suspended, according to Vice President for External Relations Rick Sweeney.
"We were shocked and deeply troubled to learn of the allegations against him," a statement said.
Find out what's happening in Hamilton-Wenhamfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Reed's LinkedIn profile says he was an at-large councilor from 2000-2004 and served on the School Committee from 1998-2002.
Arraignment happening right now for former Newburyport City Councilor Bert Reed. Charged with 3 counts of child rape #WCVB pic.twitter.com/iyaqm3iWlG
— Matt Reed (@MattReedNews) April 23, 2018
Patch will update this story
Image via shutterstock
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