Salem man indicted by grand jury on rape charge

SALEM – A Salem man has been indicted for raping a 5-year-old girl in his home last summer by an Essex County grand jury.Richard Gouker, 55, of 2 Marion Road, stands charged with rape of a child, a crime that carries a potential life sentence in state prison.The charge relates to an incident at his home on Aug. 5, 2007 when Gouker allegedly raped the child, who was staying in his home at the time.The case came to light in August when the girl’s mother became concerned while watching Gouker play with the child.When the 5-year-old was confronted by her mother, she described a series of incidents in which Gouker allegedly penetrated her.Following an investigation Gouker was arrested and charged. He denied the charge and maintained the girl was lying.The girl and her mother have since moved from the home.The indictment now moves the case from Salem District Court, where Gouker has pleaded not guilty, to Salem Superior Court.In the meantime, Gouker remains free but required to wear a GPS-electronic ankle bracelet pending his re-arraignment in Superior Court.An indictment is not an indication of guilt: rather a grand jury found sufficient evidence to warrant a jury trial in Superior Court.Assistant District Attorney James P. Gubitose is prosecuting the case for the commonwealth.