Part-Time Somerville Preacher Drunkenly Molested 4 Girls: DA

SOMERVILLE, MA — A part-time preacher in Somerville and East Boston elementary school teacher has been accused of molesting four fourth-grade girls while drunk. Nicholas Speller, 31, of Malden, pleaded not guilty to four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child in East Boston Municipal Court Thursday morning.

Speller is a staff member of the Mission Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Bishop Henry A. Moultrie II told reporters Speller is a "fine young man" who is being falsely accused, according to The Boston Globe. He also said Speller doesn't drink alcohol.

Speller, a gym teacher at the Patrick J. Kennedy Elementary School, allegedly assaulted the girls during gym class within a one-hour time span Wednesday afternoon. Police arrested him after finding him in his car next to the school around 4:30 p.m.

The school has suspended Speller, whose LinkedIn profile says he is a gym teacher who has worked in Boston Public Schools since 2011.

Bail was set at $2,500. A judge ordered Speller wear a GPS monitor, abide by a curfew, submit to drug and alcohol testing, and stay away from the alleged victims, witnesses, school, and children under 16 while his case is pending.

Speller is due back in court June 12.

Mike Carraggi (Patch Staff) contributed to this report.

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