News
Underage Girls Used In Sex Parties
Published: Jan 27, 2004 - 04:23 AM
NEW BEDFORD, Mass. -- New Bedford police on Thursday said they broke up an alleged sex ring with the arrest of three men on sexual assault charges involving underage girls. News Channel 10's Larry Estepa reported that police don't yet know how many girls were involved in the alleged ring. But investigators said in at least one case, the ring used a threat of violence to keep one of the girls in line.
Police said the ring started in business in July and ended with the arrest of three Honduran men. Police arrested Roger Moreno and charged him with rape of a child under 16, statutory rape and intimidating a witness. They arrested Jose Lopez and charged him with statutory rape. Wilfrado Lopez was arrested on a warrant.
Police said the ring worked like this: A cab would pick up the girls at the New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School and drive them to a house on Clark Street, where they had sex parties with an unknown number of men. Later, a cab would take the girls back to school or home.
Investigators said one girl, 15 years old, told her mother about the ring, which got police involved.
Police said one of the girls tried to stop, but they aren't sure if others went along with the ring willingly.
"Whether they were participating willingly or whether they were forced, intimidated to go there, that's part of (the investigation)," Lt. Richard Spirlet said. "We know one of the girls was intimidated. She was threatened. Her family was threatened. If she came to police or if she would say anything or not show up, one of the individuals would kill her family members."
Immigration officials became involved to try to positively identify the suspects. Police can't say for sure if they know their real names.
Detectives said the school cooperated fully in the still-open investigation that could result in more arrests.
Police said the ring worked like this: A cab would pick up the girls at the New Bedford Regional Vocational-Technical High School and drive them to a house on Clark Street, where they had sex parties with an unknown number of men. Later, a cab would take the girls back to school or home.
Investigators said one girl, 15 years old, told her mother about the ring, which got police involved.
Police said one of the girls tried to stop, but they aren't sure if others went along with the ring willingly.
"Whether they were participating willingly or whether they were forced, intimidated to go there, that's part of (the investigation)," Lt. Richard Spirlet said. "We know one of the girls was intimidated. She was threatened. Her family was threatened. If she came to police or if she would say anything or not show up, one of the individuals would kill her family members."
Immigration officials became involved to try to positively identify the suspects. Police can't say for sure if they know their real names.
Detectives said the school cooperated fully in the still-open investigation that could result in more arrests.
