DA: Church youth worker may have molested 'several hundred' boys

BOSTON - A church youth worker charged with molesting two youths may have sexually assaulted several hundred young boys under his care during the past five years, a prosecutor said Friday.

Authorities said they have uncovered a videotape showing Christopher Reardon, of Middleton, engaged in sexual activity with a young boy.

Investigators also seized a list in Reardon's home that contained names, dates, and ''sexual references,'' Essex County District Attorney Kevin Burke said. The list was ''relatively recently generated,'' he said, and indicates that ''several hundred'' boys ranging in age from 5 to 14 may have been assaulted by Reardon.

Earlier this week, Reardon pleaded innocent to charges he sexually assaulted two boys in his catechism class.

''The investigation has spread dramatically,'' Burke said.

Reardon's attorney, John Andrews, said he believes prosecutors have embellished the number of alleged victims and the strength of their evidence.

''I'm disappointed because my client has been held five days,'' Andrews said. ''I've yet to receive one police report ... or one investigative report. It's very frustrating.''

Reardon, 28, was the youth ministries coordinator at St. Agnes Church in Middleton and director of the Danvers YMCA Summer Day Camp.

He has been held at Essex County jail since his arrest June 10 on two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and indecent exposure.