Worcester, MA (March 4, 2010) - On Wednesday March 3rd at approximately 5:50 PM Worcester Police Detectives of the Sexual Assault Unit arrested 34-year-old Jeremy E. O'Connell of 208 Perry Ave Worcester, MA without incident on Webster St. in Worcester. Mr. O'Connell was transported to the station and charged with Rape of a Child with Force and Open and Gross Lewdness. The arrest of Mr. O'Connell was the result of an on-going investigation by Worcester Police Detectives, Department of Children and Families Investigators and representatives of the Worcester District Attorney Joseph Early's office.

On Tuesday March 2nd, detectives received information from the District Attorney Joseph Early's office of the alleged assault. Worcester Police Detectives initiated an investigation and information developed indicates the victim, a seven-year-old child, was sexually assaulted by Mr. O'Connell within the past six months. The victim was known to Mr. O'Connell.

Jeremy O'Connell is currently held at the Worcester Police Department on $25,000 bail and will be arraigned in Worcester Central District Court tomorrow morning.

No additional information available at this time.