Nantucket Man Arrested on Child Trafficking Allegations
Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo faces multiple charges, including rape and human trafficking, following a multi-agency operation.
A man identified as Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo, 40, was arrested early Thursday morning in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on charges related to child trafficking and sexual assault. The arrest was the result of a multi-agency operation involving the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS).
Chavez-Regaldo faces a number of serious charges, including sexual conduct for a fee, aggravated rape with serious bodily injury, aggravated statutory rape of a child, rape of a child with force, trafficking a person for sexual servitude, indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, enticing a child under 16, and selling or delivering liquor to a person under 21.
He was arraigned and ordered held without bail. A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Tuesday to re-evaluate his bail status.
Dennis Matulewicz, head of the USMS for the District of Massachusetts, described the allegations as among the "most disturbing" the agency encounters. "Allegations concerning the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children are arguably the most disturbing we encounter," Matulewicz stated. "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." He also emphasized the strength of inter-agency partnerships in addressing such crimes.
Matulewicz added, "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. Our thoughts and prayers are with the children affected by these alleged crimes as they heal and move forward."
Authorities have stated that further details will not be released at this time to protect the identities of the minor victims.
The U.S. Marshals Service collaborated with the Brockton Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing, and the Nantucket Police Department to execute the arrest.