For Immediate Release August 21, 2007

Contact: Corey Welford/Meredith Lerner 617-679-6522

Somerville Man Arraigned In Connection With Series of Alleged Sexual Assaults In Medford And Somerville

CAMBRIDGE – Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public today that a Somerville man has been arraigned in Cambridge Superior Court in connection with a series of alleged rapes and assaults of multiple victims in Medford and Somerville.

Nicolas Chacon, 20, was arraigned today on two counts of aggravated rape, kidnapping, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, assault with intent to rape, and four counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over. Chacon pleaded not guilty to all charges and Cambridge Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Fahey ordered Chacon to remain held without bail as had been ordered at Chacon’s Somerville District Court arraignment.

It is alleged that Chacon committed these crimes against five women between April 12 and April 26. The times, locations, and charges for each alleged incident are as follows:

· April 12 at 10 p.m. on Broadway in Somerville – Indecent assault and battery on victim 14 years or older

· April 12 at 10:15 p.m. on Broadway in Somerville – Indecent assault and battery on victim 14 years or older

· April 20 at 10:30 p.m. on Winthrop Street in Medford – Two counts of aggravated rape, assault with dangerous weapon (knife), kidnapping

· April 21 at 10:45 p.m. on North Street in Somerville – Indecent assault and battery on victim 14 years or older

· April 26 at 5:45 a.m. on Boston Avenue in Medford – Assault with intent to rape, indecent assault and battery on victim 14 years or older, assault with dangerous weapon (hard object)

Chacon has been linked to the crimes by DNA and other evidence.

Chacon will next appear in court on September 5 in Cambridge Superior Courtroom 6B for a Pretrial Conference.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case was jointly investigated by Medford Police, Somerville Police, Tufts University Police, Concord Police, and State Police assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office. The Assistant District Attorney assigned to the case is Adrienne Lynch. The victim witness advocate is Daniela Bianco.

###