A 40-year-old man was arrested in Nantucket, Massachusetts, on allegations that he trafficked children, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Rigoberto Chavez-Regaldo was taken into custody early Thursday, Oct. 8, during a multi-agency operation involving the alleged trafficking of minors, the federal agency said in a news release.
Chavez faces charges including sexual conduct for a fee, aggravated rape involving serious bodily injury, aggravated statutory rape of a child, rape of a child by 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 someone under 21.
Nantucket is an island in Massachusetts located about 30 miles south of Cape Cod by ferry. (iStock)
Chavez was arraigned Thursday and ordered held without bail. His detention status is expected to be reconsidered during a dangerousness hearing Tuesday.
Dennis Matulewicz, who leads the U.S. Marshals Service in the District of Massachusetts, described the allegations as among the agency’s “most disturbing.”
Boats sit in Nantucket Harbor beneath the evening light on Aug. 13, 2020, in Nantucket, Massachusetts. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
“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,” he added.
Officials said they would not release additional information in order to protect the identities of the minor victims.
A marina on Nantucket, Massachusetts. (iStock)
The arrest was carried out by the U.S. Marshals Service in coordination with Brockton police, the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and Nantucket police.
