Three Somerville High School students have been arrested in connection with a sexual assault that took place in Otis this past weekend.

Berkshire District Attorney David F. Capeless says 17 year old Galileo Mondol and two 16 year old juvenile males were arrested today by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to his Office.

Mondol is being charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child under 16, two counts of assault with intent to rape a child under 16, one  count of indecent assault and battery on a person who has attained 14 years of age, three counts of assault and battery and three  counts of intimidation of a witness or other person.  He will be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court, in Pittsfield.

The juvenile males will be were arraigned in Berkshire Juvenile Court, in Pittsfield, on similar charges.

According to Capeless, the incident occurred at Camp Lenox in Otis, MA where the City of Somerville had rented the facility for team-building activities for its fall sports teams. It is alleged that the defendants, Juniors at Somerville High School, entered a cabin occupied by Freshman students Sunday, August 25 and assaulted three victims.

The investigation is being conducted by Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office assisted by State Police detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office and the Somerville Police Department.

District Attorney Capeless stated, “I want to extend my appreciation to the Somerville school authorities and coaches, who acted quickly and appropriately when they became aware of these allegations, and I also want to thank Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquariello and his department and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan and her Office for the considerable cooperation and assistance they have provided to us, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as this case moves forward.  Special thanks go out to Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, who has made it a priority to emphasize to all the city’s personnel to assist the investigating authorities and to continue to act with courtesy, consideration and professionalism when dealing with the victims and witnesses and their families.  Their efforts are much appreciated.”

“We thank District Attorney David Capeless, his Office and the Massachusetts State Police for their speed and diligence in undertaking an investigation of these grave allegations, and working cooperatively with the Somerville Police Department and our school officials at every step of this investigation,” said Mayor Joseph Curtatone, Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Tony Pierantozzi and Somerville High School Headmaster John J. Oteri in a joint statement.  “We will continue to provide any resources and information the District Attorney’s Office requires as this investigation continues. Right now we are focused on continuing to provide the support services to students, parents and our community needed for Somerville to come together and heal.”

_____________________________

Joint statement from
Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and
Tony Pierantozzi, Superintendent of the Somerville Public Schools

 Earlier today, three members of the Somerville High School junior varsity boys soccer team were arrested on charges that include aggravated rape and assault with intent to rape that allegedly occurred at the annual sports camp in Western Massachusetts. We are disturbed and appalled that these crimes may have taken place and our thoughts and concerns are with the victims and their families. We thank Berkshire County District Attorney David Capeless and his office, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, and the Massachusetts State Police for their speed and diligence in undertaking an investigation of these allegations, and also for working cooperatively with the Somerville Police Department and our school officials at every step of this investigation.

These allegations were first reported to members of the Athletic Department at Somerville High School on Tuesday, August 27, 2013. The information was immediately reported to the appropriate authorities including the Department of Children and Families, and a criminal investigation immediately began under the direction of the Berkshire County District Attorney’s Office with support by State and Somerville Police. An internal investigation is ongoing.

At this time, the thorough and meticulous investigation by the Berkshire County D.A.’s Office provides no indication that anyone other than the three individuals arrested have been implicated, and found that this was a single, isolated incident. No other victims have been identified. Our student-athletes are taught to be leaders in our community and they represent the highest and best values that our school and our community hold. We would like to thank the members of the soccer team for their compassionate support of the victims and their courage in coming forward to assist authorities with the investigation.

Our primary concern right now is for the victims and other members of the boys soccer team, as well as for other teams that attended the summer camp. Support services are in place for all those in need of such services. Informational meetings have been conducted for all team members and the parents and guardians of team members who attended the camp to ensure all have access to appropriate services. We will continue to provide these services including the support of the Trauma Response Network and counseling. Services are available to community members and school families who may need them, and an educational and support forum for the school and community members will be announced in the near future.

Our coaches, staff and teachers promote the importance of students working cooperatively and supporting one another at all times. We take great pride in the fact that our students are actively involved in creating caring and supportive school communities. We continue to emphasize to all students that any type of aggressive, criminal or demeaning behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in the Somerville Public Schools.

As the investigation continues, and as our community processes this very disturbing information and comes together to heal, we ask that the privacy of student-athletes and families be respected.