A married couple from East Boston is facing criminal charges after prosecutors say they turned a Monday night at a neighborhood restaurant into a racist confrontation filled with slurs, threats and violence. The pair allegedly broke off a piece of wooden fencing that struck a child, sprayed diners with a hose and told the victims to “get out of this country.”
A judge in East Boston Municipal Court on Tuesday set bail at $750 each and ordered that the husband and wife have no contact with one another or with the alleged victims. Both are scheduled to return to court on July 28.
What prosecutors say
Suffolk County prosecutors say the conflict started as a noise complaint around 6:45 p.m. and spiraled into an assault later that evening, according to NBC Boston. The district attorney’s office says 37-year-old Arielle Raso admitted to spraying the group with a hose and making threats, while 39-year-old Gregory Raso faces similar allegations. DA Kevin Hayden called the reported conduct “appalling,” the office said.
Charges and courtroom
Prosecutors charged Arielle Raso with multiple counts, including assault and battery, civil rights violations and threatening to commit a crime. She also faces one count of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a child under 14. Authorities say Gregory Raso is facing parallel counts, and both defendants were ordered to stay away from the alleged victims.
The arraignment in East Boston Municipal Court ended with bail set at $750 apiece and a follow-up court date of July 28, according to NBC Boston.
Where it happened
The incident unfolded at Tertulias Cafe, a Colombian neighborhood restaurant at 26-28 Porter St, as listed on Tertulias Cafe's website. The spot sits in the middle of East Boston’s Porter Street dining strip, a tight-knit stretch where regulars tend to know each other by name. In a space that compact, an outburst like this can reverberate quickly among neighbors and longtime patrons.
Legal context
The civil rights charges reflect a Massachusetts law that allows prosecutors to file additional counts when threats, intimidation or coercion are used to interfere with a person’s civil rights. State guidance on protections against hate crimes notes that bias-driven acts or conduct that “interfere with civil rights” can trigger enhanced penalties and potential civil remedies, according to Mass.gov. That framework is the backdrop for the DA’s decision to pair civil rights counts with the assault-related allegations here.
Next steps
The couple remains out on bail under a court-ordered no-contact condition while prosecutors continue their investigation. Their next scheduled appearance is July 28 in Boston Municipal Court. The DA’s office says it intends to press the case forward and has highlighted what it describes as the broader community harm caused by the alleged racial slurs and threats.
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