Fugitive Wanted For Child Trafficking Arrested On Nantucket
David Creed •
A fugitive wanted for alleged child trafficking was arrested Thursday morning by U.S. Marshalls and the Massachusetts State Police's Violent Fugitive Appprehension Section.
The suspect was identified Friday evening as 40-year-old Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo. The U.S. Marshals Service said in a press release that the alleged criminal activity involved the trafficking of minors in Brockton and elsewhere in Eastern Massachusetts.
Chavez was charged in Plymouth County with sexual conduct for a fee (two counts), aggravated rape – serious bodily injury, aggravated statutory rape of a child, rape of a child with force, trafficking a person for sexual servitude (two counts), indecent assault and battery on person over 14, selling/delivering liquor to a person under 21, and enticing a child under 16. He was arraigned in Brockton District Court on Thursday after being transported from the island to the mainland. Following his arraignment, Chavez had his bail revoked and is being held in jail. He will return to court on Tuesday, October 13th for a dangerousness hearing.
“Allegations concerning the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children are arguably the most disturbing we encounter. Protecting young people from predators is our highest obligation as a society, and the USMS and our law enforcement partners will use every resource at our disposal to pursue anyone who preys on them,” said Dennis Matulewicz, head of the USMS for the District of Massachusetts, in the press release. “Our Fugitive Task Force represents the very best of collaborative law enforcement. Today's arrest reflects the strength of those partnerships and our shared commitment to our communities and public safety. Our thoughts and prayers are with the children affected by these alleged crimes as they heal and move forward.”
No further details are being released in order to protect the privacy of the minor victims involved, according to the U.S. Marshals.
“The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by members of the USMS DMA Fugitive Task Force, Brockton Police, Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section (VFAS), MSP Air Wing, and the Nantucket Police,” the release states. “This arrest would not have been possible without the assistance of the MSP Air Wing, and the rapid response by the MSP Air Wing was critical to the safe and successful apprehension.”