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."