Alleged Serial Rapist Arraigned in Assault on 9th Victim
BOSTON, April 1, 2021—Alvin Campbell, 39, of Cumberland, R.I., already accused of raping eight women, was arraigned yesterday on new indictments charging three counts of rape and two counts of filming an unsuspecting nude person related to a ninth victim. Prosecutors moved for a hearing under the state’s dangerousness statute, which Suffolk Superior Court Judge Janet Sanders scheduled for April 27, 2021.
“As the weather gets warmer and people begin to gather again at bars and restaurants, it is of vital importance that we all remain aware of our surroundings and speak out when we observe questionable or predatory behavior. Women have every right to partake in and enjoy an evening out, to drink and to have fun without risk or fear of being harassed, violated or harmed. Men need to start speaking to their sons, their brothers and colleagues about the new vision of masculinity and working to end violence against women and girls,” District Attorney Rollins said. “The allegations outlined in each of these cases are extremely disturbing, and the facts are strikingly similar in each of the nine attacks.”
Suffolk County grand juries returned a series of indictments last year charging Mr. Campbell with sexually assaulting eight women between 2017 and 2019. In most of those offenses, he is accused of posing as a rideshare driver in order to target women outside Boston establishments where alcohol is served. He is charged with videotaping and sexually assaulting the victims while they were unconscious or incapacitated, and allegedly recorded his own rapes of five of the prior victims. Mr. Campbell has been in custody since his January 2020 arrest for one of the offenses.
As part of the ongoing investigation into these alleged serial attacks, Boston Police detectives obtained a warrant allowing them to search a cloud-based account associated with Mr. Campbell’s cell phone. That search uncovered more video evidence, including footage that the Commonwealth alleges shows him repeatedly raping an unconscious victim in June 2018.
“My Office continues to be available to these nine brave women and to every survivor of sexual violence. We are committed to serving survivors of sexual assault with support, referrals for needed resources and services up to and including prosecutions to hold perpetrators accountable,” District Attorney Rollins said. The staff assigned to my Victim Witness Assistance Program – and in every position within the Office I lead – are here to provide victim-centered, culturally-competent and compassionate services to those who have been harmed.”
Sexual assault can happen to anyone. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search.
In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.
Assistant District Attorneys Elizabeth Riley-Cunniffe and Lynn Feigenbaum are prosecuting the case. Anne Kelley-McCarthy and Kate Lagana are the assigned Victim Witness Advocates. Mr. Campbell returns to court April 27, 2021.
All charged individuals are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.