Former Haverhill scoutmaster sentenced on rape charges

By Sally Jacobs, Globe Staff

SALEM -- A popular Boy Scout leader who also served as the director of the Haverhill Public Library pleaded guilty today to two counts of raping a boy in his troop more than two decades ago.

Howard W. Curtis, a Haverhill native, was sentenced in Salem Superior Court to two consecutive four- to six-year terms to be served in state prison. Now 58 and graying, Curtis's plea was almost inaudible and he did not make a statement.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Camelio said that Curtis had an ongoing sexual relationship with Forrest Pettengill starting when the boy was 13. The abuse began on a camping trip and included various forms of sexual engagement. At one point, Curtis made a videotape of their sexual activity, "that was seen by the defendant's wife," said Camelio.

Pettengill, 34, lives in New Hampshire and was not in the courtroom. But Camelio read from a victim impact statement Pettengill had written. Pettengill's lawyers said he was willing to be identified.

As a result of Curtis's abuse, Pettengill wrote, "I became addicted to sex, and I blame him for teaching me what it was like. Howard's reign with me started right around age 11 or 12 until age 19. He groomed me. How dare he?! What gave him the right?"

Pettengill, who went to police in the fall of 2006 after months of intensive therapy, has also filed a civil suit against Curtis and the city of Haverhill and the Boy Scouts of America, claiming he was emotionally disabled by the abuse. The suit is pending in US District Court.

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