Lynn men indicted for child rape, drug charges

SALEM – Two Lynn men were indicted Friday afternoon on separate cases involving child rape and narcotic crimes by an Essex County grand jury.Rafael Morales, 31, of 51 Estes St., Lynn, also of Medford, charged with two counts of rape of a child as well as a single count of indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14.The allegations involve sexual misconduct with a girl under the age of 16 during a six-year-year period dating back to November of 2002 when he allegedly raped and improperly fondled the girl while in a home in Lynn.Morales, a Dominican Republic native, was arrested by authorities on Broad Street in Lynn last February following an investigation.Morales faces a potential life sentence on each of the rape of a child charges and up to 10 years in state prison on the indecent assault and battery indictment, if convicted as charged.Also indicted was:Glen Todd, 35, of 77 Kirtland St., #3, Lynn, is charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, second offense, and failing to register as a sex offender, stemming from his arrest on June 2 when police raided his apartment and reportedly found cocaine, baggies, a scale and other drug related items.Todd also had failed to provide authorities a change of his residence as required as a sex offender.Because Todd has a prior drug conviction out of Salem Superior Court, he faces a mandatory five years in state prison if convicted on the cocaine distribution charge.Assistant District Attorney Karen Hopwood is prosecuting both cases.Indictments are a legal process that allows a case to be transferred from District Court to Superior Court allowing for a more severe punishment. It is not an indication of guilt.