Migrant staying at Massachusetts shelter convicted of raping child, Plymouth DA's office says

Rick Sobey, Boston Herald on Sep 12, 2025

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BOSTON — A migrant who was staying at a state-run shelter has been convicted of raping a child at the motel, according to the Plymouth DA’s office.

A jury on Friday convicted Cory Alvarez of aggravated rape at the Rockland migrant shelter.

The case garnered national attention last year — sparking a Congressional inquiry and leading to more Republican-fueled criticism of the emergency shelter system in Massachusetts.

Alvarez, a national from Haiti, was accused of raping a 15-year-old girl at the state-run shelter in Rockland.

He was charged with one count of aggravated rape of a child with a 10 year age difference, and one count of child rape by force.

Rockland Police responded to the Comfort Inn on Hingham Street for a report of a sexual assault on March 13 last year.

Police officers upon arrival encountered the 15-year-old alleged victim, who was transported to South Shore Hospital for treatment.

Rockland Police through their investigation identified Alvarez as the suspect, and they took him into custody.

Alvarez entered the U.S. lawfully through a federal program and underwent two state sex offender checks.

Alvarez was screened and vetted against national security and public safety databases when he entered the U.S. and no “derogatory information” was found, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Gov. Maura Healey following the arrest commented on the case and screening individuals for the shelter system.

“We have security and systems in place,” Healey told reporters. “We have vetting in place. It is unfortunate that from time to time, things will happen … anywhere, not just in shelter, but anywhere.

“This is an allegation of sexual assault and rape,” the governor added. “It’s one that we take very seriously. I’m glad that law enforcement was right on it.”

Alvarez will be sentenced in a couple weeks.

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