New Jersey lawyer charged for collection of Boston rapes in 2007 and 2008

Native

Matthew J. Nilo, 35, allegedly dedicated 4 sexual assaults within the space of Terminal Avenue in Charlestown.

Police arrested a 35-year-old New Jersey lawyer Tuesday in reference to a collection of rapes that occurred in Charlestown in 2007 and 2008. 

Matthew J. Nilo’s arrest, which occurred at his residence in Weehawken, New Jersey, marks the fruits of a prolonged investigation that was damaged open by way of investigative genetic family tree, officers stated. 

Nilo, who used to reside within the North Finish, is charged with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one rely of assault with intent to rape, and one rely of indecent assault and battery, Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox stated at a press convention Tuesday. 

The assaults in query occurred on Aug. 18, 2007; Nov. 22, 2007; Aug. 5, 2008; and Dec. 23, 2008, within the space of Terminal Avenue in Charlestown, Cox stated. 

Nilo was arrested with out incident and was being transported again to Massachusetts, Joseph Bonavolonta, the FBI’s particular agent in command of the Boston discipline workplace, stated on the press convention. Information of Nilo’s arrest was shared with the 4 survivors instantly after he was taken into custody. 

“We actually understand that figuring out this particular person doesn’t ease their ache. Nothing can, however hopefully it solutions some questions,” Bonavolonta stated. 

Investigative genetic family tree combines the usage of DNA evaluation with conventional genealogical analysis and historic data to generate new leads. It was additionally used to determine the homicide sufferer often known as “The Woman of the Dunes.”

The BPD’s Sexual Assault Unit requested help from the FBI final October in utilizing investigative genetic family tree to determine the suspect on this case. The division obtained a $2.5 million grant from the Nationwide Sexual Assault Package Initiative to enhance its capacity to research instances like this. Final Could, BPD officers launched renewed efforts to “evaluate unsolved sexual assault instances that posed probably the most risk to public security,” Cox stated. 

Regulation enforcement officers obtained constructive genealogical affirmation of Nilo’s id final month, Bonavolonta stated. 

“That is merely only one method that’s used for lead functions. It’s not the end-all, and there’s a important quantity of investigative steps that should happen even after we’ve recognized who we consider to be, on this case, a suspect in an investigation,” he stated. 

Nilo is initially from the Boston space. Since 2008, he has lived in Wisconsin, California, and New York, Bonavolonta stated. 

Nilo works as a cyber claims counsel for Cowbell, a cyber insurance coverage firm with workplaces in New York and world wide, in response to his LinkedIn profile. 

“Matthew Nilo was an worker of Cowbell and was employed in January, 2023, after passing our background test,” the corporate stated in an announcement to The Boston Globe. “Mr. Nilo’s employment at Cowbell has been suspended pending additional investigation.”

Officers didn’t reveal particular particulars concerning the assaults. Cox stated that extra info will probably come to gentle throughout a trial. 

“Sadly, the details on this case are all too acquainted,” Bonavolonta stated. “We’d be remiss if we didn’t thank the courageous survivors, who, though terrorized, got here ahead and reported to the police what occurred to them and subjected themselves to very invasive exams for one function: to determine their assailant.”