A 40-year-old man wanted on allegations of trafficking minors and multiple sexual offenses was tracked down and arrested on Nantucket Thursday morning, ending a manhunt that stretched from the mainland out to the island. He was identified as Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo, and by Thursday he had been transported off Nantucket and arraigned in Brockton District Court, where his bail was revoked and he was ordered held in jail.
The suspect was identified Friday evening as 40-year-old Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo, according to Nantucket Current. The outlet reports he now faces a lengthy list of charges out of Plymouth County, including two counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude, rape of a child with force, aggravated rape involving serious bodily injury, aggravated statutory rape of a child, enticing a child under 16, two counts of sexual conduct for a fee, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, and selling or delivering liquor to a person under 21.
As reported by WWLP, Chavez-Regaldo was wanted for trafficking minors and multiple sexual offenses before his arrest Thursday morning in Nantucket. The U.S. Marshals Service said the alleged criminal activity involved the trafficking of minors in Brockton and elsewhere in Eastern Massachusetts, per the same account.
A Coordinated Takedown on the Island
The arrest was the result of a coordinated effort by members of the USMS DMA Fugitive Task Force, Brockton Police, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the MSP Air Wing, and Nantucket Police, the report notes. Officials said the rapid response by the MSP Air Wing was critical to the safe and successful apprehension.
Chavez-Regaldo was described as a 40-year-old fugitive identified after being arrested on Nantucket, and he has since had his bail revoked while being held in jail. He is scheduled to return to Brockton District Court for a dangerousness hearing on October 13.
Officials Vow Continued Pursuit of Predators
Dennis Matulewicz said protecting young people from predators is our highest obligation as a society. He added that the U.S. Marshals Service and its law enforcement partners will use every resource at their disposal to pursue people who prey on children.
The U.S. Marshals Service said no further details are being released in order to protect the privacy of the minor victims involved. The charges against Chavez-Regaldo remain allegations, and no plea, trial date or case outcome has been reported.
