LOWELL, Mass. (AP) - A Massachusetts man who prosecutors say fled to Florida after he was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl has been convicted of child rape charges.
The Sun reports (https://bit.ly/2dpsTWs ) Virgilio Rivera Jr. was found guilty last week of charges including rape of a child by force and intimidation of a witness. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 19.
Prosecutors say 63-year-old Rivera was a “father figure” to the now-17-year-old girl he sexually assaulted in her Lowell home from June 2009 to July 2010.
Rivera’s lawyer argued the victim made the allegations up because Rivera was stricter with her than her siblings.
Prosecutors say Rivera fled to Florida after the allegations were disclosed. They say he asked family members to try to get the victim to recant her allegations.
___
Information from: The (Lowell, Mass.) Sun, https://www.lowellsun.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.