Methuen man facing child rape charges
Joel Ventura, 41, of Methuen, will likely be indicted by a grand jury on child rape charges, his lawyer said during an appearance in Lowell District Court Tuesday.
Ventura was arrested Dec. 10 and charged with rape of a child with force, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old, and aggravated rape of a child of a 10-year age difference.
The alleged incident occurred three years ago in Lowell and wasn’t reported until recently, Assistant District Attorney Rachel Perlman said during Ventura’s arraignment on Dec. 11.
The complainant, who is now 11 years old, reported that Ventura inappropriately touched her on two separate occasions when she was 8 years old. On one of the occasions, she said the defendant reached underneath her clothing, Perlman said.
Perlman indicated in court that the complainant knows the defendant.
Ventura denies the allegations.
“There’s no scientific evidence, no forensic evidence,” said Ventura’s lawyer, Gilbert Nason.
The defendant has 11 children of his own, and has not been in contact with the complainant for at least two years, Nason added.
Judge Stacey Fortes initially ordered Ventura held on $10,000 cash bail, which has since been posted. He is currently under house arrest and may leave during designated windows of time only if he proves employment.
Assistant District Attorney Andrew Ineson requested to postpone a probable-cause hearing scheduled for Tuesday, due to the fact that Ventura may be indicted by a grand jury.
Fortes rescheduled the probable-cause hearing for Feb. 20 in Lowell District Court.