(Le Floridien) — Cory Alvarez is a Haitian man who escaped violence in his native land, risking his life by traveling through the dangerous roads of many Latin American countries to reach the United States in search of a better life, only to find himself in legal trouble.
Alvarez, who lived in a Massachusetts hotel used for housing migrants, was recently arraigned on child rape charges after allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl. The 26-year-old man pleaded not guilty on Friday in Brockton Superior Court to charges of aggravated rape of a child with a 10-year age difference and rape of a child by force, according to a statement released by Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz.
On March 13, law enforcement was called to a Comfort Inn in Rockland just after 7 p.m. for reports of a sexual assault. When officers arrived, they spoke with the victim, who was taken to South Shore Hospital for treatment. The teen told law enforcement that she went into Alvarez’s room after he offered to help her with her tablet, at which point he allegedly forced himself on her.
As a result of their investigation, Rockland police developed probable cause to arrest Alvarez, and he was taken into custody. Under Massachusetts law, prosecutors can request a dangerousness order if they believe a person is a danger to the community. If the defendant loses the hearing, they can be held without bail for up to 120 days, although they have the right to appeal the decision.
Cruz stated that Alvarez remains held without bail. The judge on the case prohibited Alvarez from contacting the victim and ordered him to surrender his passport.
Following Alvarez’s arrest, Governor Maura Healey assured residents that “everybody” entering migrant housing is thoroughly vetted. “Everybody, including him, who enters our shelter locations is vetted,” she told reporters in March.
Alvarez is next scheduled to appear in court on June 11. The hotel participates in a state and federal program to house migrant families, and Alvarez lived at the hotel.
Photo credit: (David L. Ryan/Globe Staff)
