Local suspect on the run has prior rape conviction
Published on August 20th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - A 55 year-old Stoneham resident accused of five counts of raping a child is now being sought by local and State officials after he skipped out an arraignment hearing at Middlesex Superior Court in Cambridge this week.
Ronald M. Ostrovsky, age 55, of 300 Park Terrace Drive, Unit 354, Stoneham, was indicted by a Middlesex Superior Court Grand Jury on July 31, and was summoned to appear in Room 6B of the Cambridge courthouse for arraignment on Monday, August 18.
Ostrovsky was the second name called off a busy arraignment docket on Monday morning, and the middle-aged rape suspect was nowhere to be found.
"Ronald Ostrovsky, come forward or a default warrant will be issued for your arrest," ordered out a Middlesex Superior Court officer to dead silence in the courtroom.
Middlesex District Attorney spokesperson Seth Horwitz later confirmed that Ostrovsky had indeed failed to show up for the Monday arraignment.
"Ostrovsky defaulted yesterday (Monday) and a bench warrant has been issued," said Horwitz.
Horwitz couldn't corroborate when the summons to appear in Cambridge was sent to Ostrovsky's Stoneham residence, but, presumably, it was a short time after the July 31 indictment.
Ostrovsky was indicted on five counts of rape of a child, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under the age of 14, dissemination of child pornography and illegal possession of a Class D substance.
Middlesex Superior Court Judge Peter Agnes, presiding during the arraignment hearing, quickly ordered a bench warrant for Ostrovsky's arrest.
According to Stoneham Police officials, information began to filter into the department in January about possible child rape allegations concerning Ostrovsky.
Stoneham Police received and executed a search warrant from Woburn District Court for Ostrovsky's Park Terrace Drive apartment on April 14. According to Stoneham Police Lt. Rick McCarthy, police officials found the exact location of pornographic material consistent with the young victim's testimony.
"The victim described several pornographic items in pretty clear details that we later found within the apartment," said McCarthy. "It's not a crime in and of itself to own these items, but it's a crime when children are involved."
Stoneham Police officials also found that Ostrovsky was allegedly harvesting his own marijuana within the walls of his Stoneham apartment.
Based on the allegations and the evidence, Middlesex DA officials received a Grand Jury indictment for Ostrovsky on July 31.
Subscribe and get Home Delivery of The Independent
Save 36% off the newstand price — that's like 18 FREE issues!