Three Somerville Students Arrested by Berkshire County D.A.'s Office

Contact:          FREDERICK

A. LANTZ

Phone:             413-443-5951

FAX:               413-499-6349

Three Somerville,

Massachusetts 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 (1) count of AGGRAVATED RAPE OF A CHILD UNDER 16, two (2)

counts of ASSAULT WITH INTENT TO RAPE A CHILD UNDER 16, one (1) count of

INDECENT ASSAULT AND BATTERY ON A PERSON WHO HAS ATTAINED 14 YEARS OF AGE, three

(3) counts of ASSAULT AND BATTERY and three (3) 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, Massachusetts 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^th 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."