Massachusetts police lieutenant charged with child rape pleads guilty to "vile acts"
WINTHROP – Former Winthrop Police Lieutenant James Feeley pleaded guilty Monday to charges including aggravated rape of a child.
Feeley was sentenced to 4 to 6 years in prison plus five years of probation. He will also have to register as a sex offender upon his release.
"I'm pleading guilty for very vile acts that I committed," Feeley told the judge.
James Feeley pleads guilty
Feeley was arrested in December 2023, indicted on one count of aggravated rape of a child and seven counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 years old.
During his initial arraignment, Feeley pleaded not guilty. After the prosecutor read a summary of the allegations on Monday, Feeley was asked by the judge if he agreed to the accusations.
"Unfortunately yes," Feeley responded.
James Feeley charges
Prosecutors said Monday that Feeley abused a young family member for about a year.
Feeley confessed to Winthrop Police Chief Terrance Delahanty in a cemetery on Christmas Day of 2023.
According to police, Delahanty believed Feeley was "in a bad way," armed and suicidal. Feeley was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital and underwent a psychiatric evaluation before facing charges.
The victim in the case was treated at the hospital.
Feeley was a veteran police officer who had been with the department for over 20 years. Sources told the WBZ-TV I-Team that Feeley was also a church leader and former business owner in Winthrop.
Feeley said in court that he has eight children and foster children.