Massachusetts man accused of giving drugs, sexually assaulting teen before her death pleads not guilty

Family members were in court today for the arraignment of Carlos Rivera shortly before the wake of his alleged 13 year old victim.

According to Masslive, a not-guilty plea was entered on behalf of Rivera, who is now held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled to take place on June 4.

According to Carrie Kimball of the Essex District Attorney’s Office, Rivera, 47, is charged with 2 counts of distribution of Class B drugs to a minor, 2 counts of indecent assault & battery on a child under 14 and 1 count of indecent assault & battery on a person over 14. He was arrested this past weekend at the Lawrence Police station after being questioned by investigators. The charges relate to the 13 year old deceased victim.

Investigators determined that Rivera allegedly brought a 13-year old Amesbury girl to Lawrence General Hospital on Monday, May 20 at approximately 4:47 pm. He was accompanied by a female under the age of 16. Investigators learned that the 13-year old girl and the other female under the age of 16 were at Rivera’s Lawrence apartment at 59 Bellevue Street on the evening of May 19th and during most of the next day.

It was determined that the teen was Chloe Ricard.

The matter remains under investigation by the Essex District Attorney’s Office, the Essex State Police Detective Unit and the Lawrence Police. M ore charges may be forthcoming. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has not yet ruled on the cause and manner of the death of the 13-year old girl.