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Haverhill School Committee member accused of groping teen outside store
Cheryl Ferguson allegedly grabbed a teen's buttocks outside of a 7-Eleven on Tuesday night, police said.
A Haverhill School Committee member is facing charges after allegedly groping a teen, court records show.
Cheryl Ferguson was arraigned in Haverhill District Court on Wednesday and faces one charge of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years or older. According to a police report obtained by WBZ News, Ferguson was arrested at her home on Tuesday evening after the alleged incident.
“You’re scary,” Ferguson allegedly told the teen victim
WBZ said the alleged victim was standing outside a 7-Eleven on Dudley Street in Haverhill wearing a Halloween mask when Ferguson approached him and allegedly groped his buttocks. She then entered the store, but when she left again she allegedly ran her hands down the teen’s chest.
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The teen’s mother reported the alleged incident to police, who arrived at Ferguson’s home later that evening for questioning. Ferguson told police that she played Keno at the 7-Eleven and, while leaving the store, poked the victim in the chest and said “You’re scary,” WBZ News reported. Police then arrested her, court documents show.
In a joint statement, Haverhill Mayor Melinda E. Barrett and Superintendent Margaret Marotta said police informed them of the charges on Wednesday.
“In an abundance of caution, we have decided to restrict the member’s access to school premises and are taking other precautionary measures until further notice,” the joint statement said. “The safety of our students is our first concern.”
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They declined to comment on the allegations themselves due to their criminal nature.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday. Judge Susan McNeil released Ferguson without bail, according to court documents. As part of her release conditions, Ferguson must follow a 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew, during which she must wear a GPS tracker. The conditions also stipulate Ferguson cannot have contact with minors.
Ferguson has a previous criminal record
Court records show Ferguson has previously faced criminal charges four other times.
In 2006, she was charged with operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and violating marked lanes. Those charges were later dismissed.
In 2018, she was charged with her second offense of driving while impaired due to alcohol. Ferguson was placed on probation. In September of 2019, she pleaded not guilty to driving an uninsured vehicle. Both of those cases were dismissed at the request of the Commonwealth.
Later in 2019, she faced charges of assault and battery. As a result, she was on probation from Jan. 28, 2021, until April 20, 2021.
Representation for Ferguson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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