Tewksbury man accused of raping teen
A Tewksbury man who developed a relationship with a 14-year-old girl after she sent him a text message intended for someone else has been charged with rape.
Prosecutors say 31-year-old David Avery mistakenly got a text from the girl intended for her friend this summer. Authorities say the two continued exchanging text messages even after she told him her age. Police say on Aug. 21 they agreed to meet and allegedly engaged in sexual acts. The girl's friend urged her to tell her mother, and three days later mother and daughter went to police.
The Salem News reports Avery was held on $25,000 cash bail after pleading not guilty at his arraignment Monday. Avery's lawyer said his client has a job and close to ties to the community and should be granted bail.
