A man residing at a hotel used as a shelter for migrants in Massachusetts was arrested Wednesday by the police and is currently facing serious charges after he allegedly raped a teenage girl on the premises.
Cory B. Alvarez, aged 26, appeared before a Hingham District Court judge on Thursday and pleaded not guilty to a single count of aggravated rape of a child.
Teen Allegedly Assaulted at Rockland Hotel Shelter
The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office revealed that the incident unfolded at the Comfort Inn on Hingham Street in Rockland, where both Alvarez and the victim were residing.
Law enforcement officials were alerted to the situation on Wednesday evening when staff at the hotel's front desk notified emergency services of a disabled 15-year-old girl who had reportedly been sexually assaulted.
The victim, who communicates in French Creole, conveyed to the police, with the aid of translators, that Alvarez assaulted her in his room while she sought assistance with an application on her tablet. Despite her protests, the assault continued unabated.
The victim was promptly taken to South Shore Hospital for medical attention.
Defense Discloses Details at Arraignment
At the arraignment, Alvarez's defense attorney revealed that his client immigrated from Haiti and is part of the migrant system.
According to his lawyer, Alvarez arrived in the country in June 2023 and has been residing at the hotel since October of last year while he applies for immigration status.
The court ordered Alvarez to surrender his passport and prohibited any contact with the victim during his detention.
A dangerousness hearing for Alvarez has been scheduled for March 22. Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their investigations, with police pledging to enhance safety measures at the site.
"Our department provides community outreach to the hotel," Police Chief Nicholas Zeoli said, as reported by WCVB 5. "We also work in close partnership with the National Guard who are stationed there, and we work to just make it as safe as possible."
