A man wanted for allegedly trafficking children in Massachusetts was arrested in Nantucket, according to federal authorities.
Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo was taken into custody “without incident” on Thursday, October 8, in connection with alleged child trafficking activities occurring in eastern Massachusetts, including Brockton, the U.S. Marshals Service revealed in a news release.
Chavez-Regaldo, 40, is charged with two counts of sexual conduct for a fee, aggravated rape resulting in serious bodily injury, aggravated statutory rape of a child, rape of a child with force, two counts of trafficking a person for sexual servitude indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, selling/delivering liquor to a person under 21 and enticing a child under 16.
During Chavez-Regaldo’s arraignment on Thursday, he was ordered to be held without bail ahead of a dangerousness hearing set for Tuesday, October 13.
“Allegations concerning the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children are arguably the most disturbing we encounter. Protecting young people from predators is our highest obligation as a society, and the USMS and our law enforcement partners will use every resource at our disposal to pursue anyone who preys on them,” Dennis Matulewicz, who leads the U.S. Marshals Service for the District of Massachusetts, said in a statement.
“Our Fugitive Task Force represents the very best of collaborative law enforcement. Today’s arrest reflects the strength of those partnerships and our shared commitment to our communities and public safety,” Matulewicz added. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the children affected by these alleged crimes as they heal and move forward.”
Further details on Chavez-Regaldo’s alleged crimes were not specified to protect the privacy of minor victims, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
His arrest in Nantucket, an island south of Cape Cod, was coordinated by federal, state and local authorities, including Massachusetts State Police and Nantucket police.
The U.S. Marshals Service said his apprehension “would not have been possible” without Massachusetts State Police’s Air Wing, a specialized unit involving aircrews that help search for alleged fugitives, as well as missing and endangered persons.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether Chavez-Regaldo had retained legal counsel.
The U.S. Marshals Service encourages anyone with information on the whereabouts of an alleged fugitive to contact the agency at 1-877-WANTED2 or email a tip to usmstips@usdoj.gov.
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
