Sounds like you are trying to "interpret" what the author's intent was.
Accused means just that, accused. It doesn't need quotation marks to highlight the use of the word, unless there is now a new class of "accused" in the criminal justice system.
“Accused” does not mean guilty. Not everyone who is accused of sex crimes is guilty. Some are and some aren’t.
The author’s intent was clear. Your understanding of it is not.