Somerville High Athlete Accused Of Rape Held Behind Bars

That suspect, Galileo Mondol, 17, and two 16-year-olds attacked the freshman and attempted to rape the others Aug. 25 in a cabin at Camp Lenox in Otis, a prosecutor said in court Tuesday. Mondol was not involved at first but joined in, Berkshire Assistant District Attorney Rachel Eramo said.

"I want to have a crack at that," Mondol is reported to have said, according to Eramo.

The three defendants then tried to convince the accusers not to report the attack, she said.

Mondol pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated rape of a child, assault on a child with intent to commit rape, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, indecent assault and witness intimidation Tuesday. His dangerousness hearing was scheduled for Friday.

The two 16-year-olds, whose names were not released because of their age, were to be arraigned in juvenile court on similar charges.

They were arrested last Friday and Mondol was held over the weekend on $100,000 bail. A judge refused to lower bail Tuesday even though Mondol's lawyer said his client had nothing to do with the alleged assault.

"Even the other defendants and the victims said my client had nothing to do with the incident in question," William Korman said, adding that Mondol even tried to stop the attack. He called the bail amount outrageous.

Mondol's parents were in court but made no comment outside. Mondol was to start his junior year of high school Tuesday, Korman said.

The allegations have shaken the Boston suburb of Somerville, including Mayor Joe Curtatone, a volunteer football coach at the camp. Somerville High was holding a team-building retreat at the camp for the soccer and football teams. The defendants and accusers all play soccer.

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