Boston Pastor Indicted in Child Rape Case
George Swain, a pastor at Greater Victory Temple in Mattapan, was indicted on child rape charges, sending his case to Suffolk Superior Court
A pastor at a Boston church has been indicted on child rape charges by a Suffolk County grand jury.
George Swain, 71, a pastor at Greater Victory Temple in Mattapan, was arraigned in November in Dorchester District Court. Thursday’s indictment moves the case to Suffolk Superior Court, where he faces an arraignment next month.
Prosecutors say Swain sexually abused three boys between the ages of 8 and 16 from 1997 to 2004.
The three victims, who are now in their 30s, were members of the church and trusted Swain, investigators say.
“Bishop Swain is accused of using his position of trust and authority to ingratiate himself to his victims and their families, grooming them in order to gain access to targets for his sexual abuse,” Suffolk County District Attorney Rollins said in a statement Thursday. “He allegedly preyed on his victims’ faith and used it as an entryway into their lives.”
“He was seen as a role model, and the victims’ families all looked up to him,” Assistant District Attorney Audrey Mark said in court last year.
MORE INFO
Boston pastor arraigned in hospital bed, held on $225k bail
BOSTON — A Boston pastor facing child rape charges involving three different victims was arraigned over the phone in a hospital bed on Monday.
71-year-old Reverend George Swain, of the Greater Victory Temple in Mattapan, was originally set to appear in court in Dorchester.
Prosecutors said Swain did not physically appear in court because he’s being treated at Carney Hospital for congestive heart failure.
Xfinity5 Year Price GuaranteeRead MoreSkip
‘Charges will be dropped’: Stefon Diggs’ attorney speaks out after Patriots star faces judgeDiscover
Patriots star Stefon Diggs pleads not guilty to strangulation, assault chargesDiscover
XfinityKeep the same internet price until 2030.Read MoreSkip
Happening this weekend: Harlem Globetrotters, Lunar New Year, LEGO Maritime FestivalDiscover
During Monday’s arraignment over the phone, bail was at $75,000 for each of the three dockets.
Prosecutors allege that the abuse involved boys between the ages of 8 and 16, and that two of those victims were sexually assaulted inside the church.
The charges stem from allegations that date back to the late 90′s and early 2000′s.
If Swain posts the total $225,000 bail, he will be subject to a list of rules. According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Swain will be required to wear a GPS monitoring device, surrender his passport and won’t be allowed to have unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins released a statement recognizing the strength and bravery of the victims who came forward in this case:
“It can take decades for victims to make the decision to come forward about sexual abuse, as is what happened here. The defendant used his position of trust and authority to ingratiate himself to his victims and their families in order to gain access to vulnerable targets for his sexual abuse. Even more horrific, he used religion as an entryway into these children’s lives, potentially forever altering their faith,” the statement read. “We will continue to work in partnership to provide these brave survivors with the services and resources they deserve and may require as the case moves forward.”