ORANGE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — Jospeh Richard, formerly of Athol, was convicted on April 2nd by a jury in the Orange District Court. Richard was found guilty of indecent assault and battery and violation of an abuse prevention order. The judge sentenced Richard to two and a half years in the House of Correction, the maximum sentence allowed.

From the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office:

Former Athol Resident Convicted of Sexual Assault and Violation of an
Abuse Prevention Order
ORANGE – Joseph Richard, 43, of Haverhill, was convicted on April 2, 2026, by a jury in Orange District Court
following a two-day trial.
Richard was found guilty of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and violation of an abuse
prevention order. The offenses occurred in 2024 while Richard was residing in Athol. Richard was found to
have sexually assaulted his intimate partner and thereafter contacting them in violation of a court-issued
restraining order.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jillian Parent and Alexander Keir, with support
provided to the survivor by Victim Witness Deputy Director Kim Devine. Richard was represented by
Attorney Scott Gleason of Haverhill.
Judge Gregory Teran sentenced Richard to two and a half years in the House of Correction, the maximum
sentence allowed in District Court, followed by 18 months of probation. He will also be required to register
as a sex offender.
“We want to thank the survivor who came forward and recounted these crimes on the witness stand. Their
courage and commitment to the truth played an important role in ensuring that justice was achieved,” said
ADA Parent. “We also extend our appreciation to Athol Police Detective Douglas Kaczmarczyk and Officer
Steven Adams for their investigative work on this case.”