Registered sex offender charged with rape of 5-year-old

Shit like this pisses me off!  Why was this registered sex offender anywhere near a 5yr old girl?  I don’t care if the other rape of a little girl happened when he was under 18 or not.  It doesn’t sound like it was a situation where he and a girl a small age difference were in a dating relationship and she yelled rape or her parents did or whatever like that.  And, I don’t care if the little girls story has changed...she is 5 for crying out loud and rape is a foreign concept for her, or well I’d hope!  Although, who knows with her mom saying that his visits were strictly overseen by her parents.  So ok, hhhmmm, you knew he was a sex offender yet still let him visit your home...ok sounds strange to me, but that’s just me.  I’d never knowingly allow a sex offender anywhere near my child, even with me there.  Too many times I read of repeat offenders!!!!  And, even though this is the second time for this...he was released on such a small bail; only $100,000...UGH

By Brian Fraga

bfraga@s-t.com

June 15, 2010 12:00 AM

NEW BEDFORD — A registered sex offender is charged with raping a 5-year-old girl in the city.

Matthew J. Meneses, 19, of 523 N. Front St. was held on $100,000 bail after being arraigned Monday in New Bedford District Court on charges that include rape of a child with force, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, and witness intimidation.

Meneses, a registered Level 2 sex offender with a prior conviction for rape of a child, is alleged to have sexually assaulted the 5-year-old girl within the last few weeks. Prosecutors said he also threatened to harm the girl if she told anyone.

The alleged victim's parents attended Monday's arraignment and were visibly emotional as Assistant District Attorney Erin Aiello summarized the allegations against Meneses. They left the courthouse immediately after the arraignment.

Authorities said Meneses knew the child's parents. The child came forward June 5 and told a relative that "Matt" had inappropriately touched her while in her family's residence. It is believed the girl's parents were home when the incident is said to have occurred, prosecutors said.

Detectives are not sure of the exact date of the alleged incident.

During Monday's bail arguments, defense attorney Andrea DeBries said the girl's story of how she was assaulted by Meneses has differed as more people, including investigators, subsequently questioned her.

"This is a story that's grown over time each time it's told," said Debries, describing how the alleged victim included additional allegations against Meneses in each retelling.

"There are very, very significant differences in her stories," said Debries, adding that Meneses adamantly denies the allegations against him.

DeBries said Meneses is willing to undergo a polygraph test and submit a DNA sample. DeBries also said the alleged victim's mother told police that Meneses had very limited contact with the girl and that any visits were strictly overseen by her parents.

DeBries requested a $2,500 cash bail for Meneses, citing that he has no adult criminal convictions.

Information on Meneses' prior rape conviction was not available because he was a juvenile at the time of the offense, which occurred in New Bedford, authorities said.

Meneses' juvenile record also consists of an arrest for assault and battery and two arrests for failing to register as a sex offender, which were later dismissed.

Police logs show Meneses was arrested in February 2009 on charges of disturbing the peace and unlawful possession of a Class C substance.

Aiello requested $250,000, citing Meneses' prior rape conviction and juvenile record.

District Court Judge Robert A. Welsh III noted the serious nature of the alleged offense and set bail at $100,000. He ordered Meneses to return to court July 1 for a probable cause hearing.  View original article here:  Registered sex offender charged with rape of 5-year-old New Bedford girl | SouthCoastToday.com