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Ex-Rochester man pleads guilty to rape of 13-year-old in Milton in 2001

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Surrounded by a court bailiff and a Strafford County Sheriff's Deputy, John Turcotte waits in an elevator for his transport out to a waiting van and a short ride to the Strafford County Jail in Dover today. (Lebanon Voice photos)

DOVER - A former Rochester man who once worked as a janitor at Lebanon Elementary School pleaded guilty today to raping a then-13-year-old girl in Milton back in 2001.

John Turcotte, 33, formerly of 12 Pine St., Rochester but more recently of Middle Road in Dover, walked into the plea and sentencing hearing in street clothes but left in handcuffs after signing papers that registered him as a sex offender.

Turcotte, who was 18 at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to a single count of felonious sexual assault stemming from his 2001 forcible rape on a path in the woods outside a residence in Milton.

Under the terms of a plea deal worked out by prosecutors and Turcotte's defense attorney, Turcotte was sentenced to 12 months in Strafford County Jail, with three years of probation to follow his immediate release, during which time he could be sentenced to a 3½-7 year prison terms if probationary terms are violated.

John Turcotte signs paperwork that registers him as a sex offender during his plea and sentencing hearing today in Strafford County Superior Court.

The victim, who was 13 when she was raped, spoke eloquently in court during a victim's statement in which she chose not to speak directly to the defendant, but instead focused on the unconditional love of her family and their boundless support since she brought the attack to light in 2012.

After she read her victim's statement, Strafford County Superior Court Judge Mark E. Howard called her an "incredibly strong" young woman with "a beautiful smile."
Turcotte, who spoke almost inaudibly to Howard during the 40-minute hearing, declined to make a statement to the court.

Both the families of Turcotte and the victim, now 28, were well represented in court, with Turcotte family members murmuring softly "We love you, John," as he was escorted out to a holding room by court bailiffs as the hearing closed.

Court documents indicate that the girl's parents first called Milton police on Nov. 10, 2012, saying their daughter "had some disturbing news."

When police arrived, the woman said Turcotte raped her behind her parent's house on a trail leading to the pond, and her cousin was present.

Later in November officers conducted what is known as a forensic interview - usually hours-long, in-depth and closely structured - during which time the victim recounted "in detail various sex abuse (perpetrated) by the defendant that began when she was in elementary school," according to court documents.

The next day a Milton police officer and members from the Strafford County Attorneys Office were present for an authorized one-party recorded phone call between the victim and the defendant. During the call, the defendant admitted he remembered what happened when they were younger and apologized for it, court documents state.

Defense attorney Steven J. Keable confers with client John Turcotte during today's hearing.

In a listing of "Factual Background" statements submitted to the court by prosecutors, the next item of information regards a Milton officer who on Aug. 7, 2014, spoke with the woman thought to be the cousin who witnessed the assault and according to court documents, said she "witnessed the assault as (the victim) described."

Throughout the rest of the fall of 2014 the officer interviewed several more women and a man whom the alleged victim is thought to have spoken with about the incident.

Court documents allege Turcotte "overcame (the victim) through the application of physical force, to wit, he threw (her) on the ground in the woods" and engaged in intercourse with her.

Turcotte worked as a janitor at Lebanon Elementary School from 2007 to April 2015, but as a second shift custodian, he was never in charge of or in a supervisory role for any students, SAD 60 Supt. Steven Connolly has said, adding the school district followed state hiring requirements in hiring Turcotte and that he met all requirements.

Turcotte's defense lawyer, Steven J. Keable of Dover, said he had no comment as he left court today, but Assistant County Attorney Lauren Di Giovanni said the case was important because, "it sends a message to the public that the state takes this (type of case) very seriously no matter how long it's been."

Di Giovanni added she thought the plea deal was a "fair outcome."

Turcotte, as a registered sex offender, will have to notify police as soon as he has a home address after release from jail.

Howard recommended Turcotte for work release, which means he could be released as soon as Dept. of Corrections personnel think it appropriate.

After his release, three years of probation will begin immediately.

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