Matthew Nilo, a New York attorney, was arrested on suspicion of committing a series of rapes in Boston more than a decade ago.
Nilo, 35, was arrested at his home in Weehawken, New Jersey, on Wednesday and appeared in court yesterday. During his brief appearance in court, he agreed to be sent to Massachusetts to answer the charges and was accompanied by his girlfriend, Laura Griffin, to whom he got engaged a few weeks ago, she said. New York Post.
Investigators linked Nilo to the rapes over a DNA sample, according to ABC News. Boston authorities say he is the suspect in three separate rapes that occurred there between 2007 and 2008. He allegedly targeted women walking alone.
His attorney Jeff Garrigan said he is prepared to fight the charges. “We are going to enter a plea of not guilty for certain.”
Nilo was identified to authorities through family members who voluntarily submitted DNA samples to a genealogical database. The practice is controversial and the subject of at least one lawsuit in New Jersey and is currently prohibited in New York. However, this case occurred in Massachusetts and District Attorney Kevin Hayden is praising the investigators.
His Manhattan employer, Cowbell Cyber, says Nilo was hired in January 2023 after passing a background check, but was suspended pending further investigation.
“While we know that today’s arrest of Mr. Nilo cannot erase the harm he is alleged to have inflicted on his survivors, we believe we have removed a dangerous threat from our community,” said FBI Boston Special Agent Joseph Bonavolonta.
All charges are mere accusations and those charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.