Chelsea School Committee Member Charged With Child Rape

CHELSEA, MA — A member of the Chelsea School Committee is facing criminal charges after being accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old student.

Henry Wilson, 56, was arraigned Tuesday on charges of aggravated rape of a child and enticing a child under the age of 16, according to reports. He was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail.

Chelsea Superintendent Almi Abeyta said the charges relate to an "inappropriate relationship with a student in the Chelsea Public Schools."

"District officials are cooperating fully with the District Attorney, Chelsea Police Department, and other agencies involved in the investigation," Abeyta said in a statement. "An order has been issued prohibiting Mr. Wilson from any CPS campus and contact with any CPS student."

Wilson joined the School Committee in 2019 after serving on the Chelsea Planning and Zoning Boards. He has been active in the community for many years, including as a youth mentor with the Chelsea Public Schools and a member of the Chelsea Collaborative Inc.'s summer youth jobs program, according to his biography on the district's website.