A Dukes County grand jury indicted Peter J. Duart, 42, of Daggett avenue on a single count of rape (subsequent offense) stemming from allegations that he sexually abused a person who is mentally challenged.

Mr. Duart has been held in the Edgartown house of correction since his arrest in March on charges of rape and indecent assault and battery on a retarded person, a term used in the state statute.

Mr. Duart was apprehended by Massachusetts state police while trying to flee in Dartmouth, after Oak Bluffs police took out a warrant for his arrest and warned police in the region to be on the lookout for him. He was a registered level 2 sex offender at the time.

In 2004 Mr. Duart was convicted on charges of rape and indecent assault and battery on a retarded person. He served two years in state prison. He is a former assistant coach on the regional high school football team and member of the Tisbury planning board.

If convicted on the new charges — in either of the cases — he could be sentenced to life in prison, according to state law.

The grand jury was convened on Monday by the Hon. Gary A. Nickerson, an associate justice of the superior court. A special sitting of superior court is scheduled for July 27 and 28.

The grand jury this week also returned indictments against Richard J. Morris on charges of trafficking heroin, receiving stolen property, illegal possession of class E drugs, possession of class B drugs, and carrying a dangerous weapon. Mr. Morris, 55, of Oak Bluffs was arrested on April 12 in Vineyard Haven while trying to bring a large quantity of heroin over on the Island Home ferry. The arrest followed a lengthy investigation by the Martha’s Vineyard Drug Task Force. Also indicted was Charles Loiselle, 59, of Oak Bluffs, on single counts of kidnapping, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery and intimidation of a witness.