State Rep. Guilty in Assault on Arlington Woman
CAMBRIDGE – State Representative Carlos Henriquez was found guilty on two counts of assault and battery related to a July 8, 2012 incident in Arlington, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan informed the public today.
“This case demonstrates the complexities involved in the prosecution of incidents of domestic violence,” said District Attorney Ryan. “The conviction of an elected public official, a person who was expected to uphold the law and serve the public, reflects the stark fact that domestic violence can and does happen everywhere in our society. Domestic violence is about power and control and occurs in all our communities, regardless of gender, or social, educational, or economic circumstances. That is why we are committed to ensuring fair, yet aggressive, prosecutions, and to leading education, training and innovative prevention initiatives to end this epidemic of violence.”
The guilty verdict on the two assault and battery counts followed a week-long trial in Cambridge District Court in Medford. Following the announcement of the verdict, Cambridge District Court Judge Michele Hogan sentenced the defendant to two and one half years in the House of Correction with six months to serve, with the balance suspended for two years and the following conditions: attend a certified batterers program and stay away from and have no contact with the victim. Henriquez, 37, of Dorchester, was found not guilty on charges of larceny, witness intimidation and a third count of assault and battery.
According to authorities, the defendant, who had had a relationship with the victim, met her outside of a residence in Arlington in the early morning hours of July 8, 2012. Following a disagreement, the defendant held the victim down and punched her in the chest. The defendant then departed the area with the victim still in the car and drove to Boston. There the victim was able to escape from the car and Boston Police were subsequently notified. Henriquez was arraigned July 31, 2012 in Cambridge District Court.
The case was investigated by Arlington Police and Boston Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Clarence Brown. The Victim Witness Advocate was Alyssa Donovan.
The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, under the leadership of District Attorney Ryan, is a leader in innovative domestic violence prevention programs, and comprehensive training efforts. Last fall, District Attorney Ryan hosted a training that focused on how to engage and work with victims of domestic violence. Two panel presentations included representatives from several local advocacy organizations. Presenters also trained participants on how to identify and respond to victims’ needs, including how to address cultural barriers in our local communities that may make it difficult to report abuse.
District Attorney Ryan and Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley also sponsored a training for 135 assistant district attorneys and victim witness advocates in how to assess abusive behavior in domestic partner relationships and how to identify and respond to the needs of victims.
District Attorney Ryan regularly leads programs throughout the county in how to identify signs of domestic violence and to connect people with resources in their communities. One initiative is the Cut It Out program that provides training for salon professionals and student stylists on how to spot signs of domestic violence and safely refer clients to local services and resources. District Attorney Ryan recently launched the third phase of this effort by providing training to staff at private salons after forming partnerships with local vocational high schools and Empire Beauty School.
District Attorney Ryan has led initiatives to better serve victims and enhance the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence cases. Ryan’s office offers comprehensive trainings for local police departments and sponsors community-based Domestic Violence Roundtables throughout the county. The office continues to expand its Domestic Violence Pro Bono Program and currently partners with 11 private law firms that provide free legal services for victims of domestic violence seeking civil restraining orders.
Middlesex County is the largest county in Massachusetts and one of the largest counties in the country with 54 cities and towns and 26 colleges in urban, suburban, and rural areas, comprising over one quarter of the population of Massachusetts. The Middlesex District Attorney’s Office prosecutes more than 40,000 cases each year in nineteen superior, district and juvenile courts and has offices throughout the county, including in Ayer, Cambridge, Concord, Framingham, Lowell, Malden, Marlborough, Newton, Somerville, Waltham and Woburn.