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Athol Man Charged With Raping Developmentally Disabled Woman

ATHOL (CBS) – State police arrested an Athol man and charged him with raping and indecently assaulting a developmentally disabled woman multiple times.

Richard LeFrancois, 44, was arrested on two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a person with a disability.

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Richard LeFrancois, 44, of Athol. (Image Credit: Massachusetts State Police)

Police said a 20-year-old woman who attends a western Massachusetts high school was found with a "hickey" on her neck recently, prompting an investigation by the school nurse and a school counselor.

After talking with the woman, the school contacted the Department of Children and Families and police began a criminal investigation.

Investigators determined that LeFrancois allegedly raped and assaulted the woman throughout October and December in a town in northwestern Massachusetts.

LeFrancois is currently being held on bail at the Worcester County House of Correction on an unrelated offense.

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