BOSTON, Nov. 25, 2014—Eighteen years after a child rape defendant fled his indictment and one week after his arrest out of state, the former Dorchester resident was held on high bail at his arraignment today in Suffolk Superior Court, District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

LENS CHAPPELL (D.O.B. 5/20/48) was arraigned today on eight counts of rape of a child, three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child, and two counts of indecent assault and battery. Assistant District Attorney Gloriann Moroney, chief of the DA’s Child Protection Unit, recommended that he be held on $750,000 cash bail.  Clerk Anne Kaczmarek imposed that amount.

The Suffolk County Grand Jury indicted Chappell on Nov. 22, 1996. Shortly thereafter, Chappell fled the area. Based on information developed by the Boston Police Fugitive Unit, investigators believe he travelled to Rhode Island, where he assumed a new identity and lived as “Carter Jefferson.”

Boston Police and US Marshals apprehended Chappell at a Robin Street residence in Providence on Nov. 18. At that time, he denied being Chappell, but Boston Police confirmed his identity through fingerprints on file. He subsequently waived rendition proceedings and was returned to Boston yesterday.

The indictments charge Chappell with sexual assaults on four female children between 1982 and 1996. The children, who were all under 16 at the time of the abuse, were known to Chappell and each other. The case came to light after two of the victims disclosed abuse to authorities.

Kate Lagana is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate. Chappell is represented by attorney Natalie Corvington. The case will return to court on Dec. 19 for the scheduling of a trial date.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.