Police arrest former local mail carrier, teacher, on child rape charges, more charges pending in other communities

A local man has been arrested on some disturbing charges.

According to Freetown Police Officer Steven Abbott, on March 8, 2021, Gilbert Hernandez, 55, of Taunton, was located and arrested by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section on outstanding arrest warrants from the Freetown and Lakeville Police Departments.

After a lengthy investigation conducted by Freetown Police Detective Shane Kelley and Patrolman Kaylin Jose, police had sought a warrant charging Hernandez with rape of a child with force, aggravated statutory rape of a child (2 counts), and indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over. Hernandez was identified as the suspect in a sexual assault investigation involving a female juvenile.

The Lakeville Police Department had, based upon the same investigation, obtained an arrest warrant for Hernandez charging him with 2 counts of indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over.

Additionally, there are pending charges from three southeastern MA communities involving the same victim.

Hernandez, a former mail carrier, substitute school teacher, and Sunday school teacher within the Freetown and Lakeville areas, was booked at the Freetown Police Department before being transported to the Fall River Justice Center for arraignment.