Press Release  Former Youth Volunteer Pleads Guilty to Child Rape

Salem, Massachusetts — A former volunteer for the Curwin Circle Youth program in Lynn pleaded guilty today in Salem Superior Court to five counts of child rape.  Judge John Lu sentenced him to 4 to 6 years in state prison followed by 4 years of probation, during which he is prohibited from associating with any youth programs.  He must also register as a sex offender, submit to a sex offender evaluation and obtain any treatment deemed necessary, have no unsupervised contact with children, wear a GPS monitoring bracelet and have no contact with the victim.

Had the case gone to trial, Essex Assistant District Attorney Jessica Strasnick would have introduced evidence that would have proven that Victor Canaan, 62, raped a boy who attended the youth program over a period of six years.  The defendant befriended the boy when he was 10 years old by giving him money and gifts.  During that time, he performed oral sex on the boy on three separate occasions.  When the boy turned 13, the defendant began inviting the boy to his home on Essex Street in Lynn where he raped him.  This continued until the boy was 16.

The victim, now 30, reported the rapes to the Lynn Police in 2014.

“I applaud this brave young man for coming forward.  It is not uncommon for child rape victims to delay reporting because of embarrassment, confusion or fear,” said District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.  “I hope that he can finally heal from this trauma.”

ADA Strasnick commended the work of Lt. Marie Hanlon from the Lynn Police for her work on the investigation.  Essex Victim Witness Advocate Jennifer Capone provided assistance and support to the victim.

Canaan was represented by Attorney Russell Sobelman.

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