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L.I. Man Accused Of Abusing Boys As Swim Coach More Than 30 Years Ago

CENTEREACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Police in Suffolk County arrested a Centereach man Monday, on a warrant issued by Massachusetts authorities for sex crimes against children he allegedly committed when he was a swim coach more than three decades ago.

Paul Collins, 62, was arrested at his home and charged with rape of a child by force, indecent assault and battery of a child under 14, and open and gross lewdness. He was arraigned in First District Court in Central Islip on May 18, and taken to Massachusetts by Arlington, Mass., police officers.

Collins was the swim coach and aquatics director for the Arlington Boys and Girls Club between 1978 and 1980. He met his victims – four boys – at the club, Suffolk County police said.

Collins went on to live in Suffolk County for nearly a decade, and detectives were investigating whether he committed similar crimes there.

Anyone with information on that subject was asked to call the Suffolk County police Special Victims Section at (631) 852-6184, or (800) 220-TIPS.

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