WEBSTER — A local man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of indecent assault and battery on a child following a comprehensive investigation by Webster Police and several partnering agencies.
John Nichols, 68, was taken into custody after an arrest warrant was issued by Dudley District Court.
Nichols faced two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and open & gross lewdness.
The investigation began in June when a juvenile reported that Nichols, whom they knew, had exposed himself during a swimming outing at Webster Lake.
The victim stated that Nichols removed his swimsuit and made inappropriate comments about swimming without clothing.
Subsequent inquiries, assisted by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) investigators, special prosecutors from the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office, Oxford Police Detectives, and The Children’s Advocacy Center of Worcester County (CAC), revealed further allegations.
Nichols was also accused of inappropriately touching the victim on another occasion, and a second young victim came forward with similar claims.
Detective Sergeant Trainor and Detective Hurton, along with the Milford Police Detectives, located and apprehended Nichols in Milford, MA.
Initially held on $50,040 cash bail, Nichols’s bail was reduced to $500 during his arraignment on Friday, July 12.
The arrest was the result of collaborative efforts by Detective Sergeant Trainor, Detective Whiting, Detective Hurton, Officer DiBuono, and the supporting agencies.
