Former Prosecutor Gary Zerola Facing New Rape Charge Held Without Bail

BOSTON (AP) — A former Boston prosecutor and defense attorney facing new rape charges has been ordered held without bail, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins.

Gary Zerola, 49, of Salem, appeared Thursday in Boston Municipal Court for a dangerousness hearing before Judge Thomas Horgan.

Prosecutors argued that Zerola is a danger to the community because he has a history of rape allegations dating back to 1996 and had been out on bail for a separate rape allegation when the most recent attack allegedly occurred, Rollins said.

Zerola faces charges in Suffolk Superior Court for the alleged rape of a different woman in 2016, and had posted $10,000 bail in that case.

He's been in custody since he turned himself into authorities last week after a warrant was issued in the latest case.

Prosecutors say Zerola met the victim at a gathering on Jan. 11 and took her back to her apartment, along with a mutual acquaintance.

They say Zerola then returned to the residence without the victim's permission later that night, and she awoke to find him sexually assaulting her.

Zerola has pleaded not guilty to rape and breaking and entering charges. His lawyer didn't respond to an email seeking comment Thursday but has previously described the allegations as thin.

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