Judge deems New Bedford rape suspect a danger, releases him on $1,000 bail anyway

New Bedford Police arrested Hector J. Mejias, 23, of New Bedford, on charges of two counts of rape and sexual conduct for a fee. The arrest was made at 12:38 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 7.

The district attorney’s office requested that he be held without bail and sought a dangerousness hearing, which was held Wednesday, Oct. 10.

Judge Edward F. X. Lynch found Mejias a danger but released him on $1,000 cash bail, ordered him to wear a GPS monitoring device, placed him on a curfew from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. and ordered him to have no contact with the victim. Mejias made bail and is free. A probable cause hearing is set for Nov. 16.