According to a press release from the Massachusetts State Police, fugitive unit troopers and an MSP K9 Unit team captured an accused child rapist following a nightlong search. Authorities say members of the MSP Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section and US Marshals Service Trask Force Officers developed information that 59-year-old Rickland Powell could be in a wooded area of Stoneham.

Around 3 AM, authorities located Powell who had hung himself from a tree. Troopers and officers cut the suspect down. The suspect was still alive so he was transported to an area hospital for treatment. The Belmont Police Department took custody of Powell. BPD initially conducted the investigation that resulted in a child rape warrant against Powell.

A warrant was obtained for the following offenses.

• Rape of a Child with Force (four counts)
• Aggravated Statutory Rape (four counts)
• Indecent Assault and Battery on a Child Under 14 (two counts)
• Posing a Child in a Sex Act
• Distributing
• Obscene Material

The charges stem from the claim that Powell raped a female child several times.