Press Release  Haverhill Football Coaches and Player Charged in Hazing Investigation

Haverhill, MA — Two coaches and an 18-year-old male were arraigned today in Haverhill District Court on charges related to three alleged hazing incidents as the result of a joint investigation by the Haverhill Police Department and the Essex District Attorney’s Office.

Haverhill High School head football coach Timothy O’Connor, 48, was charged with Intimidation of a Witness, Failure to File a 51A, and Failure to Report Hazing.  Assistant Coach Michael Attah, 27, was charged with Intimidation of a Witness and Failure to File a 51A. Jesse Rodriguez, 18, was charged with 3 counts each of Indecent Assault & Battery on a Person 14 Years of Age or Older, Assault & Battery, and Hazing.

Judge Sarah Joss set bail as follows: Timothy O’Connor, $750; Michael Attah, $350 and Jesse Rodriguez, $200.  Judge Joss ordered O’Connor and Attah to stay away from Haverhill High School and have no contact with victims, witnesses or members of the football team or coaching staff, and not participate in any coaching.  She ordered Rodriguez to stay away from Haverhill High School and have no contact with the victims and the co-defendants, no use of social media, and no participation in organized sports.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Alyssa Thibault alleged that on three occasions between August 18 and October 12, 2022, hazing occurred at Haverhill High School athletic facilities targeting three different individuals.  She further alleged that after the coaches became aware of the hazing, they failed to report it, as required by law, and either discouraged a victim from reporting it or encouraged the destruction of evidence.

Haverhill Police are also seeking charges against five juveniles as a result of their investigation.

The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

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