Middleton Firefighter, Ex-High School Hockey Coach Accused Of Child Rape

BOXFORD (CBS) - A former high school hockey coach who now works as a Middleton firefighter has been indicted on child rape and assault charges stemming from accusations dating back to 2003.

Andrew LeColst, 39, of Middleton, was indicted on three counts of rape of a child and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 on Wednesday, according to the Essex district attorney's office.

No one answered the door at LeColst's home on Friday. He is not in custody and he is expected to be arraigned in Salem Superior Court on Monday.

The indictments allege sexual assaults committed between 2003 and 2005, when the victim was between 13 and 15 years old.

At the time of the alleged assaults, LeColst was a member of the coaching staff of the hockey team at Masconomet Regional High School in Boxford.

In a statement, Middleton Town Administrator Andrew Sheehan said LeColst is on paid administrative leave as a matter of policy "until the town has an opportunity to investigate this matter."

"At the time the alleged incident occurred, Mr. LeColst was not employed by the Town of Middleton. These are serious allegations and we are acting accordingly while respecting his presumed innocence until proven guilty," said Sheehan, who deferred further questions to the Essex district attorney's office.

Kevin Lyons, superintendent of the Masconomet Regional School District, said Lecolst was a school district employee from 2002 to 2005.

From January 2002 until March 2004, he was an assistant coach for the junior varsity hockey team. He was also employed as a teacher's assistant from March 2004 until June 2004. Lecolst also worked for the district as a part-time physical education/health teacher and interim varsity hockey coach from April 2005 until June 2005.

Lyons said he started at the school in 2014 and didn't know Lecolst.

Boxford Police are investigating.