Crime

Details emerge about child rape allegations against Chelsea School Committee member

"He was in a position of power and routinely sought out opportunities to surround himself with children."

Henry D. Wilson pleaded guilty to raping a 12-year-old Chelsea Public School Committee Website

August 11, 2021

2 minutes to read

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office reported Chelsea School Committee member Henry Wilson is being accused of raping a 12-year-old boy in his car after offering him a ride home.

Wilson – who was arraigned at Chelsea District Court yesterday – is facing charges of enticing a child and raping a child under 16. Chelsea Public Schools announced Wilson’s “inappropriate relationship with a student” in a letter sent to parents yesterday.

According to a press release from the DA’s office, the victim told the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County that the incident occurred on June 28. The child was reportedly walking near the Broadway area of Chelsea when Wilson offered him a ride home.

He then drove them to a parking lot, where the boy was sexually assaulted by Wilson in the car. The DA’s office also reported parts of the sexual assault were recorded on a cellphone camera.

“This man ran for office and is a member of the Chelsea School Committee. He was in a position of power and routinely sought out opportunities to surround himself with children,” District Attorney Rachael Rollins said. “Now, he stands accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old child that is over four decades younger than him.”

The victim’s parents informed the police of the incident when they became aware on July 2. According to prosecutors, Wilson was identified as the perpetrator and interviewed by police

“The decision to disclose child sexual assault is often a difficult one for survivors of any age,” Rollins said. “Survivors who come forward in Suffolk County will be met by a multidisciplinary team of experienced, compassionate and culturally-competent professionals who will provide survivors and their loved ones with service and resources as they take steps forward on their journey toward healing.”

Wilson will be returning to court on Sept. 9 and was given a bail of $50,000.

He has also been ordered by Judge Matthew Machera “to stay away from and have no contact with the victim and the victim’s family, stay away from the victim’s home, have no unsupervised contact with children under 18, hold no employment or volunteer work serving children, remain in Massachusetts, be subject to GPS monitoring, and surrender his passport.”

Rollins said that law enforcement and community partners are helping the victim and his family. She also called the incident “heartbreaking.”

“This little boy did nothing wrong,” Rollins said. “He is 12 years old and should be enjoying the end of summer before getting ready to return to school. Instead he is dealing with this.”