Marblehead janitor charged with rape out on bail

MARBLEHEAD – The Marblehead elementary school janitor who was arrested on child rape charges was released from jail on $1,500 cash bail Tuesday, according to Lynn District Court records.Richard Jones, 40, of 29 Auburndale Road, Marblehead, stands charged with two counts of forcible rape of a child and single counts of assault with intent to rape a child and indecent assault and battery of a child. He is due back in court March 17 for a probable cause hearing.The conditions of his bail include that he must stay away and have no contact with the alleged victims.Jones is accused of raping two girls beginning when they were in the fifth grade over the past several years. The abuse was reported to police Feb. 8.Jones has been placed on paid administrative leave as an overnight janitor at the Coffin School in Marblehead, where he has worked for about one year. He worked as a janitor at Marblehead High School for the previous five years.Authorities say the victims are known to Jones and he did not meet them at his workplace.According to court documents, Jones was heard for a dangerousness hearing in front of Judge James Wexler, who set the $1,500 bail on Tuesday.Court records show Jones was bailed by Ann Jones of Manchester, N.H.