Police Arrest Boston Attorney Gary Zerola, Wanted In Connection With Rape And Break-In

BOSTON (CBS) -- Police have arrested Boston defense attorney Gary Zerola, who was wanted in connection with a rape and breaking and entering in the city.

Boston police said they arrested the 49-year-old at about 12:50 p.m. on Friday after locating his vehicle. Zerola is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing.

Zerola, a former Suffolk County assistant district attorney, is already facing charges for the alleged rape of a different woman in 2016, and had posted $10,000 bail in that case.

In the new case, prosecutors said the victim had met Zerola at a gathering on Monday, after which he and a mutual friend accompanied the victim to her apartment.

Early the next morning, Zerola "allegedly entered the victim's residence without her permission and she awoke to find him sexually assaulting her."

"These allegations are deeply troubling," Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said. "What's worse, the offense for which Mr. Zerola was arraigned today is alleged to have occurred while he was out on bail in a prior sexual assault case."

Zerola's attorney said the allegations are "absurd." "We are confident that when the allegations are actually challenged they are going to come out in his favor," attorney Joseph Krowski, Jr. said.

Zerola worked as an assistant district attorney in Essex County for one year, and in Suffolk County for two months in 2000.