sexual assault

Ashland Police Arrest Uber Driver for Sexual Assault

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Ashland Police Department
Craig Davis, Chief
137 Main Street
Ashland, MA 01721

For Immediate Release

Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-9003
Email: [email protected]

Ashland Police Arrest Uber Driver for Sexual Assault

ASHLAND — Police Chief Craig Davis reports that the Ashland Police department has charged an Uber driver after he allegedly offered one of his riders money in exchange for sex and then sexually assaulted her when she refused.

Uber driver JOSE H. AREVALOS-AVALOS, AGE 37, OF HOLLISTON was arrested and charged with Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Age 14 or Over and Attempting to Pay for Sexual Conduct. (Ashland Police Department Booking Photos/Courtesy)
Uber driver JOSE H. AREVALOS-AVALOS, AGE 37, OF HOLLISTON was arrested and charged with Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Age 14 or Over and Attempting to Pay for Sexual Conduct. (Ashland Police Department Booking Photos/Courtesy)

As a result of an Ashland Police Department investigation, JOSE H. AREVALOS-AVALOS, AGE 37, OF HOLLISTON was arrested and charged with:

  • Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Age 14 or Over (Felony)
  • Attempting to Pay for Sexual Conduct.

On Friday, Feb. 8 at 3:29 p.m., Ashland Police were called to take a report of a sexual assault that had just occurred. The victim reported to police that she had ordered an Uber car to commute to work in Ashland. She was picked up by a gray Toyota Corolla driven by AREVALOS-AVALOS.  During the ride, the suspect allegedly propositioned the victim and offered her $100 for sex. When the victim refused, the suspect allegedly put his hand between the victim’s legs and sexually assaulted her, and he later put the victim’s hand between his legs.

The Uber app showed that the victim had ordered a gray Toyota Corolla with a driver named “Jose.” The suspect also reportedly gave his phone number to the victim as she exited the car and asked her to call him.

The phone number and the license plate of the vehicle led police to AREVALOS-AVALOS, who was arrested at his apartment on North Mill Street in Holliston shortly before 11 p.m.

Uber cooperated with Ashland Police in the investigation. The Holliston Police Department assisted in the investigation.

Chief Davis praised the victim for immediately coming forward to report her assault, leading to the arrest of this suspect.

AREVALOS-AVALOS is being held at the Ashland Police Department pending his arraignment Monday in Framingham District Court.

These are allegations. All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty.

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Rockingham County Attorney Reiterates Support for Victims of Sexual Abuse

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Rockingham County Attorney’s Office
Patricia G. Conway, County Attorney
10 Route 125
Brentwood, NH 03833

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 27, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Rockingham County Attorney Reiterates Support for Victims of Sexual Abuse

County Attorney Conway Urges Support for Victims of Sexual Assault Amid Backlash Over Guidance Counselor Supporters

BRENTWOOD — Rockingham County Attorney Patricia G. Conway is today reiterating her support for victims of sexual assault and sexual abuse, and she urges others to do so as well, following the sentencing of former Exeter High School guidance counselor who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old high school student.

KRISTIE TORBICK, AGE 39, OF LEE, pleaded guilty on July 9 at Rockingham County Superior Court for sexually assaulting a student at the school where she was employed. Judge Andrew Schulman sentenced TORBICK to serve 2 1/2 to five years in New Hampshire State Prison with an additional 7-14 year sentence suspended for 10 years.

At the sentencing hearing, TORBICK submitted a memorandum containing statements of support from several individuals, including school guidance counselors, practicing mental health clinicians, professors, doctors, lawyers and other professionals who by virtue of their roles in society put them in a position of supporting and protecting children.

Some, but not all of these individuals, spoke on the defendant’s behalf even after  hearing the state’s offer of proof regarding the crimes and the victim’s statement on how these assaults have seriously impacted his life. The victim sat and listened, mere feet away, while each professional stood up and spoke of the admirable characteristics of TORBICK and suggested that the victim was in some way responsible for the abuse that was perpetrated at the hands of the defendant.

“This defendant chose to break the law and perpetrate crimes against a child. The defendant sexually abused a child. The defendant was in a position of authority and influence over children and used that to commit crimes,” County Attorney Conway said. “The victim of sexual abuse is blameless. His courage in reporting these assaults and participating in the prosecution is to be commended. Any suggestion to the contrary from witnesses for the defense and colleagues of the defendant are not only factually inaccurate, but they could discourage other children from coming forward after they are victimized by adults in positions of authority.”

County Attorney Conway adds that this case should serve as a reminder that there needs to be an increase in understanding and awareness surrounding the detrimental effects of victim blaming and lack of support for child victims of sexual assault.

It is the hope of the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office that the citizens of New Hampshire take this opportunity to become aware of the prevalence of sexual assault in communities and stand up to support all victims so that this sort of situation can be prevented in the future.

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Manchester Man Sentenced for Probation, Suspended Sentence Violations

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Rockingham County Attorney’s Office
Patricia G. Conway, County Attorney
10 Route 125
Brentwood, NH 03833

For Immediate Release

Monday, July 2, 2018

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: [email protected]

Manchester Man Sentenced for Probation, Suspended Sentence Violations

BRENTWOOD — Rockingham County Attorney Patricia G. Conway reports that a Manchester man will serve prison time for imposition of a suspended sentence after he was charged with sexual assault while out of state last year.

JAMES BANKS, 24, OF MANCHESTER has been sentenced to 6 1/2 to 13 years in the New Hampshire State Prison for a probation violation and imposition of a suspended sentence.

Judge Marguerite Wageling issued her ruling on June 18 at Rockingham County Superior Court.

In March of 2016, BANKS pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree assault and one count of criminal threatening for three separate assaults committed against three different women in Portsmouth. He was sentenced to one to four years in prison, with additional sentences that were suspended, which were conditioned upon a number of factors, including good behavior.

In 2017, BANKS, who did not have permission from his Probation Officer to be travel outside of New Hampshire, was seen on surveillance video entering and exiting a New York apartment with a woman, who later reported he had sexually assaulted her. His car was confirmed to have passed through three different toll/checkpoints around the scene of the assault, and his DNA was found on the victim when she underwent an exam after being taken by ambulance to an area hospital.

Due to his probation violation, BANKS was arrested and returned to jail. In calls intercepted by the state, BANKS is heard directing others to find information about the victim, her contact information, and her family, ultimately directing them to reach out to her through social media in an effort to keep the victim from testifying.

During the June sentencing, Judge Wageling, in speaking about her findings, reflected back on the 2016 case, stating the facts of the New York assault were “chillingly similar” to those that BANKS admitted to perpetrating against the three Portsmouth victims and that the allegations from the New York victim culminated in rape. It is with that evidence that Judge Wageling imposed the maximum sentence on BANKS in an effort to protect the community.

“We are extremely pleased that the court recognized the defendant’s proven pattern of behavior and gave him the maximum prison sentence allowed by law,” County Attorney Conway said.

The outcome of this case was the result of collaboration between the Rockingham County Attorney’s Office, Portsmouth Police, Manchester Probation and Parole, the New York Special Victim’s Unit and the Forensic Laboratories in New Hampshire and New York. BANKS‘ conviction would not have been possible without the courageous assistance of the New York-based victim, who traveled to New Hampshire and testified about the violent assault that she endured.

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VIDEO: Bridgewater Police Release Video of Alleged Attempted Abduction and Sexual Assault of Female Jogger

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Bridgewater Police Department
Christopher Delmonte, Chief of Police
220 Pleasant St.
Bridgewater, MA 02324

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 18, 2018

Media Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-428-3299
Email: [email protected]

VIDEO: Bridgewater Police Release Video of Alleged Attempted Abduction and Sexual Assault of Female Jogger

[vimeo 275687017 w=640 h=360]

BRIDGEWATER– Chief Christopher Delmonte reports that a man has been charged with attempting to abduct a female jogger from the road and into his vehicle Sunday morning. The department has released a video of the alleged incident that was recorded from a nearby business.

GORDON J. LYONS, AGE 57, OF 273 MAIN ST., BRIDGEWATER was charged with:

  • Kidnapping
  • Indecent Assault and Battery on a Person Age 14 or Older
  • Assault and Battery

At approximately 7:35 a.m. on Sunday, June 17, Bridgewater Police received multiple 911 calls reporting that a female jogger was just assaulted by a man in the area of 433 Pleasant St.

Through the investigation, officers determined that the 37-year-old woman was jogging down Pleasant Street when LYONS allegedly pulled his vehicle over and stopped in front of her. The video shows LYONS exiting the vehicle, and then run towards her and grab both of the woman’s arms and attempt to pull her toward his vehicle. During this time, LYONS allegedly sexually assaulted the female victim.

The woman was able to scream and fight with LYONS.  The video showed both of them to fall to the ground. LYONS then got up and ran back to his vehicle and fled the area.

The victim had the presence of mind to take a photo of the suspect vehicle as it was fleeing. Using the photo taken by the victim, Bridgewater Police were able to quickly identify LYONS’ vehicle.

A short time later, LYONS was involved in a motor vehicle crash on the northbound side of Route 24 in West Bridgewater. He was injured in the crash and is currently at Boston Medical Center. He is being held without bail pending his arraignment.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call the Bridgewater Police Department at 508-697-6118.

These are allegations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty.

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