Woburn Man Charged With Sexually Assaulting Youth Hockey Player

WOBURN, MA — A Woburn man was arrested Sunday and charged with assaulting a player on the Dracut youth hockey team he coached, Dracut police announced Monday. Allen S. Pereira, 59, of Woburn, was charged with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person age 14 or over, Dracut Police Chief Peter Bartlett said. Pereira worked for a private youth hockey organization in Dracut.

Police said that Pereira assaulted the victim over several years, beginning when the victim was 14. Specifically, police said he "inappropriately touched the victim and allegedly tried to coerce the victim into touching him and performing sexual acts on him."

He was booked and processed by Dracut police and is due to be arraigned Tuesday at Lowell District Court. The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to call the Dracut Police Department at 978-957-2123.

The police claims are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.