Investigation into party uncovers additional alleged crimes

By Jay Turner

An ongoing criminal investigation into a New Year’s Eve party at a vacant home on Weathervane Road has widened considerably over the past few weeks, uncovering an alleged sexual assault that occurred at the party and leading to the arrest of a 52-year-old Canton man.

While police are not commenting on the specifics of the case, citing the sensitive nature of the alleged crimes and the fact that it involves multiple juveniles, they stressed that they are actively pursuing the matter in connection with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office.

What is known is that on February 14, police issued court summonses to five juveniles for their alleged involvement in the December 31 incident. The juveniles, who range in age from 14 to 16 and include both males and females, were each charged with breaking and entering into a building in the nighttime, possession of liquor under 21, and failing to report certain crimes. One of the juveniles, a 14 year old, was subsequently charged with assault and battery and intimidating a witness.

Regarding the sexual assault that is alleged to have occurred at the party, police would not comment on the nature of the crime and would not say whether additional charges would be filed. However, a source outside the CPD who is familiar with the investigation indicated that both the suspect or suspects and the victim are juveniles and that police have reviewed cell phone video for possible evidence of the attack.

Meanwhile, police are also investigating the link between the juveniles and an adult male, Mark Francis, who lives on Village Gate Road, which is located just south of Weathervane Road, where the party is alleged to have been held. On Tuesday, February 16, police arrested Francis and charged him with three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Police then issued a court summons for Francis containing additional charges, including contributing to the delinquency of a child and selling/delivering liquor to a person under 21.

David Traub, spokesman for the Norfolk County DA’s Office, said the case involving Francis will be handled by a Plymouth County assistant DA in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest; however, he would not divulge the nature of the conflict.

Reached via email on Tuesday, Beth Stone, a spokesperson for the Plymouth County DA’s Office, confirmed both the charges and her office’s involvement but did not provide any specifics pertaining to the alleged offenses. Stone said that Francis will next appear in Stoughton District Court for a pretrial conference on Friday, March 25.

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