New Bedford Man Accused of Child Rape Arrested in Texas

A 43-year-old New Bedford man who fled the state after being accused of raping of a child was arrested on November 9 in Beaumont, Texas and will be returned to Massachusetts for arraignment, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced today.

Marvin Pineda is charged with statutory rape of a child and witness intimidation in connection with an incident at a Mohawk Court home. He is accused of entering a young girl's bedroom and digitally raping her, the DA's office said. He is further accused of attempting to intimidate the alleged victim's family into not pursuing criminal charges. The incident allegedly occurred during the early morning hours of October 11 while the defendant was a guest at a house party.

After New Bedford Police made several attempts to locate the defendant, an arrest warrant was issued on October 26. Investigators were able to track the defendant to Texas and on November 9, Texas Rangers arrested Pineda without incident in the parking lot of a motel in Beaumont, Texas.

Pineda has yet to appear in a Texas courtroom for a rendition hearing. A date for his transport back to Massachusetts for arraignment has not been scheduled at this time, Quinn's office said. The suspect will be arraigned in New Bedford District Court upon his return.

"I am very pleased that the Texas Rangers, working with our office and our state police unit, apprehended the defendant after he fled to Texas to avoid prosecution. He will now have to answer for these very serious charges," Quinn said.