New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
On February 8, 2021, Gilbert Hernandez, age 55, of Taunton, MA, was located and arrested by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section on outstanding arrest warrants from the Freetown and Lakeville Police Departments.
After a lengthy investigation conducted by Freetown Police Detective Shane Kelley and Patrolman Kaylin Jose, police had sought a warrant charging Hernandez with rape of a child with force, aggravated statutory rape of a child (2 counts), and indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over. Hernandez was identified as the suspect in a sexual assault investigation involving a female juvenile.
The Lakeville police department had, based upon the same investigation, obtained an arrest warrant for Hernandez charging him with indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over (2 counts).
Additionally, there are pending charges from three southeastern MA communities involving the same victim.
Hernandez, a former mail carrier, substitute school teacher, and Sunday school teacher, within the Freetown and Lakeville areas was booked at the Freetown Police Department before being transported to the Fall River Justice Center for arraignment.
Freetown Police Department photo.
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