News Summary
A 39-year-old Mattapan man, Anthony Hamilton, faces serious legal charges after allegedly groping two women in public and unlawfully carrying a firearm. Police arrested him following an incident on Blue Hill Avenue where he resisted arrest, leading to a struggle. Hamilton has been charged with multiple offenses, including indecent assault and battery. He is currently being held without bail as a dangerousness hearing approaches, raising concerns over public safety and the prevalence of sexual offenses in urban areas.
Boston – A 39-year-old man from Mattapan is facing serious legal repercussions after being charged with multiple offenses, including groping two women in public and unlawfully carrying a firearm. The incidents occurred on Sunday afternoon, shortly before 5:40 p.m.
According to police reports, officers were conducting routine patrols on Blue Hill Avenue near Fairway Street when they witnessed Anthony Hamilton grab the buttocks of an unsuspecting woman as she passed by. The woman reportedly appeared shocked and disturbed by the unprovoked contact, which drew the attention of the patrolling officers.
During the investigation, an additional complaint was filed by a man who stated that his girlfriend had also been assaulted by Hamilton. When approached by police, Hamilton resisted arrest aggressively. Officers attempted to take him into custody, but he fought back, leading to a struggle in which they discovered a firearm located inside a fanny pack he was carrying.
The gun, a black Smith & Wesson 9mm semi-automatic handgun, contained a 10-round magazine with six bullets, along with one round chambered. Hamilton continued to resist law enforcement officers as they worked to control him and secure him in a marked police cruiser. Given the violent nature of the encounter, police requested backup, and after additional support arrived, Hamilton was successfully handcuffed.
As a result of his actions, Hamilton has been charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or older, one count of resisting arrest, along with five firearms-related charges. He pleaded not guilty to all charges during his arraignment held at Dorchester District Court.
In a decision made by the court, Hamilton was granted funds to hire a private investigator as part of his defense process. However, given the seriousness of the charges against him, he was ordered to be held without bail. A dangerousness hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday to assess the potential risks he poses to society.
Indecent assault and battery laws in Massachusetts define these offenses as any unwelcome, sexual contact, which can lead to significant legal penalties, especially when the victim is a minor. Additionally, gun control laws are stringent in the state, with regulations designed to prevent individuals with criminal charges from carrying firearms.
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding public safety and the prevalence of sexual offenses within urban areas. Local law enforcement continues to urge the community to report similar incidents and ensure swift action is taken against offenders to maintain public safety.
The arraignment proceedings and upcoming hearings will reveal more details about Hamilton’s case and the legal actions that will follow. Victims of assault and battery are encouraged to seek help and report any criminal activity to the authorities to assist in building safer communities.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Boston
- Wikipedia: Indecent Assault
- CBS News
- Google Search: Indecent Assault Massachusetts
- Boston 25 News
- Google Scholar: Sexual Assault Laws Massachusetts
- Boston.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Groping
- CNN
- Google News: Groping Incidents in Boston
