Tag:

Sexual Assault

Central Mass Teacher Charged With Raping Children: Police Central Mass Teacher Charged With Raping Children: Police
Central Mass Teacher Charged With Raping Children: Police A 54-year-old Worcester County man who has been accused of multiple counts of child rape involving more than one victim served as a high school teacher for nearly a decade, police said.  Shawn Baillargeon, of Rutland, is charged with aggravated rape of a child, rape of a child, and indecent assault and battery on a child younger than 14, Rutland police said.  Detectives received a report of previous sexual assaults on May 30 that took place several years ago and involved more than one complainant, police said.  After more than a month-long investigation, officers arrested&nb…
Ex-Boston Prosecutor Gets 5-10 Years For 2021 Rape; Victim Says Her Life Full Of Fear, Paranoia Ex-Boston Prosecutor Gets 5-10 Years For 2021 Rape; Victim Says Her Life Full Of Fear, Paranoia
Ex-Boston Prosecutor Gets 5-10 Years For 2021 Rape; Victim Says Her Life Full Of Fear, Paranoia Gary Zerola, a well-known Boston defense attorney who served as a former prosecutor in Suffolk and Essex counties, was sentenced to five to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of 2021 rape, authorities said.  Zerola, 52, of Salem, was found guilty last month after prosecutors said he broke into a 21-year-old woman's home in the middle of the night and sexually assaulted her.  He had been accused and acquitted of several rapes in 2008, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said.  Zerola's victim submitted a letter to the court explaining how her life has chang…
'More Playtime': Rex Heuermann Used 'Planning Document' To Guide Gilgo Beach Murders, DA Says 'More Playtime': Rex Heuermann Used 'Planning Document' To Guide Gilgo Beach Murders, DA Says
'More Playtime': Rex Heuermann Used 'Planning Document' To Guide Gilgo Beach Murders, DA Says New details are shedding light on the lengths that accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann went to in hopes of getting away with his alleged murder spree. The 60-year-old Long Island resident, of Massapequa Park, was arraigned on two more charges of second-degree murder in Suffolk County Court on Thursday, June 6, in the killings of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla. Heuermann was previously charged with the murders of four Gilgo Beach victims: Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. Earlier Report: Gilgo Beach Murders: Suspect …
'Horrific': Man Who Admitted To Raping Children In Western Mass Gets 25-30 Years In Prison 'Horrific': Man Who Admitted To Raping Children In Western Mass Gets 25-30 Years In Prison
'Horrific': Man Who Admitted To Raping Children In Western Mass Gets 25-30 Years In Prison A 51-year-old former Athol man who pleaded guilty to raping multiple children and forcing them to make child pornography will spend at least 25 years behind bars, authorities announced.  Jose A. Oquendo pleaded guilty to 27 charges — including rape and sexual assault — on Thursday, May 30, the Northwestern District Attorney said. He was accused of abusing three children for years.  Franklin Superior Court Judge David Hodge called the Oquendo's abuse "horrific" and commended the victims for standing up in court against their abuser.  He said the sentence of 25 to 30…
Teen Killed By Stepfather In Murder-Suicide Following Kidnapping: DA Teen Killed By Stepfather In Murder-Suicide Following Kidnapping: DA
Teen Killed By Stepfather In Murder-Suicide Following Kidnapping: DA A 16-year-old girl was killed on Thursday, May 30, after she was kidnapped by her stepfather and executed in a murder-suicide outside of her home in Acton, authorities said.  Juliano Santana, 49, reportedly snatched the girl as she walked near her home on Great Road in Acton before driving her back to her house and killing her and then himself in his car, the Middlesex District Attorney said.  Santana was out on bail after he was accused of sexually assaulting the girl multiple times, authorities said. He was charged with six counts of aggravated rape of a child on Sept. 7, 2…
Bradley Airport Worker Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Co-Worker Bradley Airport Worker Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Co-Worker
Bradley Airport Worker Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Co-Worker A man has been charged with sexual assault after a female co-worker accused him of multiple incidents. At about 8:20 a.m. Friday, May 24, Connecticut State Police say troopers assigned to Troop H at Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks were contacted by a female airport employee who wished to report a fellow employee who was engaging in sexually harassing behavior toward her. Investigating troopers met with the woman who stated that on Friday morning, during the course of her duties, she was approached by an airport employee, identified as Ryan Gordon, age 41, of East Hartfor…
2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases 2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases
2 Men Plead Guilty To Raping Children In Western Mass In Separate Cases Two Hampden County men who pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting children in separate cases were sentenced to more than a decade in prison each, authorities said on Wednesday, May 22.  Thomas Ciccolini, 48, of Chicopee, admitted on May 9 to eight counts of aggravated rape of a child, two counts of posing a child in a sexual act, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and possession of child pornography, the Hampden District Attorney said.  He was sentenced to 12 to 14 years in prison. The prosecutor asked for up to 18 years.  Roberto Vasquez, 41, of Springfie…
Man Who Raped 2 Children At Great Barrington Treatment Center Sentenced To Up To 12 Years: DA Man Who Raped 2 Children At Great Barrington Treatment Center Sentenced To Up To 12 Years: DA
Man Who Raped 2 Children At Great Barrington Treatment Center Sentenced To Up To 12 Years: DA A 44-year-old Berkshire County man who admitted to 23 charges including raping two 15-year-old girls was sentenced to 10 to 12 years in prison this week, authorities said.  Douglas Agyeh, of Pittsfield, was a former staffer at the Brookside School in Great Barrington, a treatment center for girls with behavioral or psychological issues.  Agyeh worked at the residential school for several weeks in 2021. He was responsible for monitoring the girls' behavior and protecting them as they slept. However, he took advantage of this authority, court records show.  One of his vic…
Accused Rapist Sliced Woman's Throat With Box Cutter On Springfield Sidewalk: Police Accused Rapist Sliced Woman's Throat With Box Cutter On Springfield Sidewalk: Police
Accused Rapist Sliced Woman's Throat With Box Cutter On Springfield Sidewalk: Police A man who is accused of slicing a woman's neck with a box cutter as she was walking down a street in Springfield on Sunday, May 12, has been arrested, police said.  Jovan Murphy, 31, of Springfield, faces multiple felonies for the alleged attack, Springfield police said.  The victim told police she was walking along the 100 block of Union Street around 3:45 a.m. when an unknown man began to follow her. He grabbed her and held a box cutter to her throat, police said. She fought him off and escaped, but he slashed her throat during the fight.  The extent of the woman's injurie…
Chicopee Man Gets Up To 13 Years In Prison For Raping Multiple Children: DA Chicopee Man Gets Up To 13 Years In Prison For Raping Multiple Children: DA
Chicopee Man Gets Up To 13 Years In Prison For Raping Multiple Children: DA A Hampden County man found guilty of multiple heinous crimes against two children will spend more than a decade behind bars, a judge ruled this week.  Kenneth Arroyo, 41, of Chicopee, was sentenced to 12 to 13 years in prison after being convicted of two counts each of aggravated rape of a child, indecent assault and battery over 14, and indecent assault and battery under 14, the Hampden District Attorney said.  A jury convicted Arroyo on April 9, and he was sentenced on Tuesday, April 23.  Arroyo was accused of sexually abusing two children he knew who were between the ages…
Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Central Mass After Luring Her Into His Car At Beach: Police Man Sexually Assaulted Child In Central Mass After Luring Her Into His Car At Beach: Police
Walter Fanion Charged With Sexually Assaulting Child: Police A 68-year-old Worcester County man is accused of using a dog to lure a child into his car, where he kidnapped and sexually assaulted her, authorities said.  Walter Fanion, of Southbridge, is charged with kidnapping, enticing a child under 16, and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, Webster police said. The alleged incident happened on Monday, April 15.  The girl told police that she got into the man's car after he approached her at Memorial Beach with a dog. He walked her to his vehicle and then sped away once she was inside, officers said.  He d…
CT Man Charged With Sexual Assault, Violating Protective Order CT Man Charged With Sexual Assault, Violating Protective Order
CT Man Charged With Sexual Assault, Violating Protective Order A Connecticut man has been charged with alleged sexual assault after violating an order of protection. New Haven County resident Michael Finney, age 50, of Waterbury, was arrested in Litchfield County by Thomaston Police on Tuesday, April 16. According to Det. Jason St. Onge of the Thomaston Police, on Friday, March 29, the department initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint for a restraining order violation and sexual assault that occurred in the victim's Thomaston home. Finney was charged with; Sexual assault Burglary Violation of a restraining or…
'My Life Was Forever Changed': Women Raped By Ex-MBTA Officer Talk Impact At His Sentencing 'My Life Was Forever Changed': Women Raped By Ex-MBTA Officer Talk Impact At His Sentencing
'My Life Was Forever Changed': Women Raped By Ex-mbta Officer Talk Impact At His Sentencing A former MBTA transit police officer was sentenced to four to six years in prison this week after a jury found him guilty of raping two women more than a decade ago. The victims told the court that the trauma of that night has stayed with them like a specter and would likely be there long after he gets out of prison.  Shawn McCarthy, 50, formerly of Wilmington, was convicted on Friday, March 15, of three counts of rape stemming from an incident in 2012, the Suffolk County District Attorney said. The women's impact statements to the court are attached to this article.  The attack h…
Ex-Transit Officer Guilty Of Raping 2 Women As Payment For 'Joy Ride': DA Ex-Transit Officer Guilty Of Raping 2 Women As Payment For 'Joy Ride': DA
Ex-Transit Officer Guilty Of Raping 2 Women As Payment For 'Joy Ride': DA A jury convicted a former MBTA transit police officer on Friday, March 15, of raping two women more than a decade ago, authorities said.  Shawn McCarthy, 50, who lived in Wilmington at the time of the rapes, will be sentenced on three counts of rape stemming from an incident in 2012, the Suffolk County District Attorney said.  The attack happened on July 6, 2012, near the area of the Museum of Science in Boston.  Two intoxicated women in their early 20s approached McCarthy outside the Aquarium subway station and asked him for a ride in his patrol cruiser, the prosecutor…
Ex-Western Mass Elementary Paraeducator Busted On Child Sex Abuse Charges Ex-Western Mass Elementary Paraeducator Busted On Child Sex Abuse Charges
Ex-Western Mass Elementary Paraeducator Busted On Child Sex Abuse Charges A former Hampshire County paraeducator has pleaded not guilty to charges that sexually assaulted a student multiple times from 2022 through 2023, authorities said.  Troy Gray, age 57, of Easthampton, was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 22, and charged with five counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 and one count of intimidation of a witness, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said.  Gray was released on his own recognizance. But he must have no contact with anyone under 16, must stay away from Mountainview School in Easthampton, avoid any contact…
Western Mass Man Admits To Sexually Assaulting Child At His Home, Gets 2 Years: DA Western Mass Man Admits To Sexually Assaulting Child At His Home, Gets 2 Years: DA
Western Mass Man Admits To Sexually Assaulting Child At His Home, Gets 2 Years: DA A 68-year-old Berkshire County man has pleaded to multiple counts of indecent assault on a child younger than 14 years old, authorities announced on Tuesday, Feb. 20.  Lochan Kissoon, of Pittsfield, was sentenced to two years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor in his apartment in June 2021, the Berkshire County District Attorney said.  Kissoon cannot have contact with anyone under the age of 16, and he must register as a sex offender once he's released, authorities said. 
Central Mass Man Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Children, Gets 18 Months: DA Central Mass Man Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting Children, Gets 18 Months: DA
Gregory J. Batchelor Guilty Of Sexually Assault Children A Worcester County man was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual assault on children under 14 years old and has been sentenced to 18 months behind bars, authorities announced on Thursday, Feb. 1.  Gregory J. Batchelor, 50, was convicted of four counts of taking indecent liberties with two children at an Athol location in 2019 and 2022, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  Batchelor was convicted following a two-day trial wherein five people — four children and one adult — testified against him, the prosecutor said.  Assistant District Attorney Jillian Parent thanked…
Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charges In Western Mass: Feds Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charges In Western Mass: Feds
Sex Offender Admits To Child Porn Charges In Western Mass: Feds A Berkshire County registered sex offender has pleaded guilty to child porn and weapons charges, federal authorities said.  Brian Hohman, 60, of Sandisfield, admitted to one charge of possession of child pornography and one charge of receipt and possession of an unregistered firearm on Wednesday, Jan. 24, the US Attorney for Massachusetts said. He remains in federal custody.  Police arrested Hohman in September after they found a sawed-off shotgun not registered to him at his home and a laptop, two phones, and a sim card containing child sexual abuse material, the prosecutor said.…
Western Mass Man Admits To Raping Child; Gets 6 To 7 Years In Prison: DA Western Mass Man Admits To Raping Child; Gets 6 To 7 Years In Prison: DA
Western Mass Man Admits To Raping Child; Gets 6 To 7 Years In Prison: DA A 44-year-old Hampshire County man admitted to repeatedly sexually assaulting a child, authorities said, and now he knows how long he'll spend in prison. Kemal Banatte, of Amherst, was sentenced to six to seven behind bars after he pleaded guilty to one count of statutory rape of a child, one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child over 14, and one count of witness intimidation, the Northwestern District Attorney said.  Banatte admitted to raping a child he knew multiple times from 2015 until 2019…
Man Admits To Raping Child For Decade In Pittsfield, Gets Up To 10 Years In Prison: DA Man Admits To Raping Child For Decade In Pittsfield, Gets Up To 10 Years In Prison: DA
Man Admits To Raping Child For Decade In Pittsfield, Gets Up To 10 Years In Prison: DA A 42-year-old Berkshire County man who this week admitted to raping a child multiple times for nearly a decade was sentenced to up to 10 years behind bars, authorities said.  Dean Giftos, of Pittsfield, pleaded guilty on Monday, Nov. 20, to two counts of rape of a child with force and four counts of rape of a child, aggravated by age difference, the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office said.  The judge sentenced Giftos to seven to 10 years in prison with three years probation after he's released, the prosecutor said. He's not allowed to have contact with minors and must att…
Former CT School Employee Charged With Sexual Assault Of 11-Year-Old Boy Former CT School Employee Charged With Sexual Assault Of 11-Year-Old Boy
Former CT School Employee Charged With Sexual Assault Of 11-Year-Old Boy Connecticut State Police have arrested a former Connecticut school employee for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old boy on numerous occasions.  Tolland County resident, Alyson Cranick, age 42, of Columbia, was charged with sexual assault on Tuesday, Nov. 14. According to the arrest warrant provided by state police, Cranick assaulted the boy during July and August of 2022.  During an interview with state police, the boy told investigators the two began their "relationship" via iMessage and Snapchat and then moved their communication to Discord after Cranick learned the …
Mass Pediatrician Sexually Assaulted 2 Patients Into Their Teen Years: Court Records Mass Pediatrician Sexually Assaulted 2 Patients Into Their Teen Years: Court Records
Mass Pediatrician Sexually Assaulted 2 Patients Into Their Teen Years: Court Records Richard Kauff, a retired pediatrician in Norwell, has been accused by former patients of sexually assaulting them for years during their physical examinations, records show.  Two women came forward after one of them shared their experiences in a Facebook group called “Mamas of the South Shore,” according to court records filed with the Hingham District Court. They said Kauff would inappropriately and painfully penetrate them with his fingers during annual checkups in the 90s. The alleged assaults happened at South Shore Medical Center in Norwell and Kingston, where Kauff practiced…
Pittsfield Man, 42, Discussed Sexually Assaulting Child He Met Online: DA Pittsfield Man, 42, Discussed Sexually Assaulting Child He Met Online: DA
Pittsfield Man, 42, Discussed Sexually Assaulting Child He Met Online: DA A Pittsfield man who struck up a sexual conversation with a 14-year-old on Facebook found out that the girl he wanted to assault was a police officer, authorities said.  James Wojtkowski was arrested and charged last week with dissemination of matter harmful to minors, the Berkshire County District Attorney said on Wednesday, Nov. 1.  Related: Plainfield Man Busted Sending Sexual Messages To 'Child' Investigators said Wojtkowski contacted a person he believed to be a 14-year-old girl living in North Adams on April 29. He probed the girl for information like where she went …
Woman Raped After Getting Into Car She Thought Was An Uber In Boston: DA Woman Raped After Getting Into Car She Thought Was An Uber In Boston: DA
Woman Raped After Getting Into Car She Thought Was An Uber In Boston: DA A woman told Boston police she got the ride from hell when she accidentally got into a car she believed was her Uber on Saturday, Oct. 14, and the driver raped her, authorities said.  Qabel Najeeb, 29, of Worcester, who investigators said was behind the wheel of that car, is charged with one count of rape and was being held on a $10,000 bail, the Suffolk County District Attorney said.  The 32-year-old woman called Boston police and said she'd ordered a ride home from a Boston nightclub a little before 5 a.m., but the ride was canceled, authorities said. The woman did not realize t…
CT Man Sexually Assaults, Robs Woman, 65, On Walking Trail, Police Say CT Man Sexually Assaults, Robs Woman, 65, On Walking Trail, Police Say
CT Man Sexually Assaults, Robs Woman, 65, On Walking Trail, Police Say A Connecticut man is in custody after allegedly throwing a 65-year-old woman down on a hiking trail sexually assaulting her and taking her purse and cell phone before the victim was able to fight him off. The incident took place in Hartford County in Manchester on Wednesday, Oct. 4 on the hiking trail near Charter Oak Park. According to Lt. Ryan Shea of the Manchester Police, the woman was walking on the trail when the man, identified as Daquan Clark-Blue, age 30, of Manchester, came up behind her and threw her to the ground. "The suspect groped the victim, physically assaulted her, a…
CT Man Sexually Assaults 15-Year-Old Girl, Police Say CT Man Sexually Assaults 15-Year-Old Girl, Police Say
CT Man Sexually Assaults 15-Year-Old Girl, Police Say A 10-month investigation has led to the arrest of a Connecticut man who police say had sexual contact with a teen girl. On Wednesday, Sept. 6, Connecticut State Police announced the arrest of Litchfield County man Jack Lemay, age 20, of Salisbury, for inappropriate contact with the girl. The investigation launched in November 2022 after the parents of a 15-year-old girl contacted the police to report that they had found sexually explicit texts between their daughter and an unknown man whom they believed to be older. Eventually, police determined that Lemay was the suspect and that he ha…
Rape Case: Western Mass Physical Therapist Pleads Not Guilty To Patient's Claims Rape Case: Western Mass Physical Therapist Pleads Not Guilty To Patient's Claims
Rape Case: Western Mass Physical Therapist Pleads Not Guilty To Patient's Claims A former physical therapist in Western Massachusetts accused of raping a former patient in 2012 pleaded not guilty Monday, July 10, to two charges, authorities announced.  Edward Kostek, 42, of South Hadley in Hampshire County, was convicted of three counts of indecent assault and battery in September after a woman said he'd groped her during three physical therapy sessions at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton in 2019, the Northwestern District Attorney's Office said. A judge sentenced him to probation.  Two women came forward following his conviction to accuse hi…
Sexual Attack: 2 CT Victims Awaken To Find Man In Bed With Them, Cops Say Sexual Attack: 2 CT Victims Awaken To Find Man In Bed With Them, Cops Say
Sexual Attack: 2 CT Victims Awaken To Find Man In Bed With Them, Cops Say Two Connecticut residents awoke to a man in their bed with one being touched sexually and then forced to touch the suspect before a struggle. The incident took place in Hartford County on Friday, June 16, at a home on Whitney Street in East Hartford. According to Officer Marc Caruso, with the East Hartford Police, while two victims were sleeping in bed one awoke to being touched in a sexual manner by a man who had broken in through a first-floor window. The man then forced the second victim to touch him causing one victim to fight with the suspect, allowing the other to escape and call for…
Child Rape Conviction: Springfield Man Sentenced To 13-15 Years In Prison Child Rape Conviction: Springfield Man Sentenced To 13-15 Years In Prison
Child Rape Conviction: Springfield Man Sentenced To 13-15 Years In Prison A Springfield man who was accused of sexually abusing a Holyoke child for two years will spend the next 13 to 15 years behind bars, officials announced on Monday, June 12.  Hector Heredia-Alamo was convicted in May of rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, the Hampden County District Attorney's Office said.  The sentence is the end of a legal saga that began in December 2020 when Holyoke police arrested the man after a young child told family members that Heredia-Alamo was sexually abusing their older sibling, officials s…
Money Meant For Abuse Victims Stolen From Springfield YWCA By 3 Employees: Police Money Meant For Abuse Victims Stolen From Springfield YWCA By 3 Employees: Police
Money Meant For Abuse Victims Stolen From Springfield YWCA By 3 Employees: Police Three employees of the YWCA in Springfield are accused of stealing more than $28,000 in grant money meant to help victims of physical and sexual assault and human trafficking. They planned to use it for personal expenses, police said.  Aisha Pizarro, who was the administrator of the funds, and her two employees, Sharifa Forbes and Patricia Medina, are accused of taking the money, Springfield police said.  Detectives began investigating the theft on April 25 after the Department of Public Health, which controlled the funds, noticed some irregularities in the accounting and ask…
Man Mistakenly Shoots Himself, Woman During Sexual Assault: Springfield PD Man Mistakenly Shoots Himself, Woman During Sexual Assault: Springfield PD
Man Mistakenly Shoots Himself, Woman During Sexual Assault: Springfield PD A Springfield man taken to the hospital last month with a self-inflicted gunshot wound was arrested on weapon and sexual assault charges.  Louis Olmo, 22, was arrested in an apartment on Birch Park Circle in West Springfield on Thursday, May 11, authorities said.  Investigators responded to the 100 block of Belmont Avenue on April 12 after they received reports of two gunshot victims, police said. They found an adult woman with a non-life-threatening bullet wound, and paramedics took her to Baystate Medical Center.  Olmo was also taken to Baystate with serious injuries. Poli…