Matthew Nilo, a 35-year-old Boston native, faces a mounting number of sexual assault allegations stemming from incidents between 2007 and 2008. His attorney, Joseph Cataldo, contends that the government is "piling on" cases in an attempt to clear unresolved investigations. Cataldo further argues that the acquisition of Nilo's DNA without a warrant was unconstitutional and expects a favorable court ruling on this matter.
Following a pre-trial conference in Suffolk County, Cataldo indicated Nilo would post an additional $50,000 bail for seven sexual assault charges filed in June, adding to the $500,000 bail posted in May for seven other similar charges. Nilo, accompanied by his fiancée, appeared in court on July 13, 2023. The court imposed the additional bail with conditions that Nilo avoid contact with victims and maintain a 1,000-foot distance from Charter Street in Boston's North End, the location of several alleged assaults.
Nilo is accused of assaulting eight women, one twice, in the Charlestown and North End neighborhoods. While permitted to return to his New Jersey residence with GPS monitoring, his passport has been revoked. Cataldo confirmed Nilo's ability to meet the bail requirements and emphasized his client's intent to vigorously contest all 14 charges.
A Suffolk County grand jury indicted Nilo in June on seven counts, including rape, aggravated rape, assault with intent to rape, and indecent assault and battery. These charges relate to incidents in the North End when Nilo was 19 or 20 years old. The May charges, linked to attacks on four women in Charlestown, include aggravated rape, kidnapping, assault with intent to rape, and indecent assault and battery. DNA evidence connected Nilo to these alleged crimes.
Prosecutors revealed details about the most recent charges during the press conference. These included an attack on January 6, 2007, on Charter Street, where a 24-year-old woman was grabbed and threatened. Another incident on July 13, 2007, involved a 33-year-old woman being assaulted on the same street. Surveillance footage from this incident captured a blue Honda Accord, a car matching one registered to Nilo in 2007.
Further incidents described involved a 24-year-old woman attacked on January 3, 2008, and again 11 days later. DNA evidence from the latter attack was re-examined in 2023 and linked to Nilo. Finally, an attack on July 4, 2008, involved a 23-year-old woman assaulted in the North End after taking a cab home from Faneuil Hall. The attacker allegedly threatened the victim with a gun.
Nilo's next court appearance is scheduled for January 16, 2024.
