Walpole priest charged in indecent assault

By Vivian Ho, Globe Correspondent

A Walpole priest was arrested today on charges of indecent assault and battery, according to State Police.

A 21-year-old man alleged that the Rev. Emile R. Boutin Jr., co-pastor at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Walpole, followed him into a wooded area behind the Route 138 Park and Ride lot in Canton at about 8:30 a.m. today and touched him inappropriately, State Police said in a statement.

The victim claimed he ran out of the woods and back into the lot to call the police, where he allegedly observed Boutin get into his car, State Police said. The victim wrote down the license plate number and State Police were able to track Boutin down at his home in Walpole, according to the statement.

Boutin was identified by the victim, whose identity was not released, as the man who allegedly assaulted him, and troopers noted that Boutin was wearing clothes matching the victim?s description, State Police said.

Boutin pleaded not guilty to one count of indecent assault and battery, and is due back in court on Aug. 16, said David Traub, spokesman for the Norfolk district attorney.