Holyoke man facing rape, assault charges remains in jail

The Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton.

The Hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton. GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

By JAMES PENTLAND

Staff Writer

Published: 06-05-2024 11:30 AM

Modified: 06-05-2024 11:33 AM


NORTHAMPTON — A Holyoke man remained jailed on $25,000 bail after pleading not guilty last week in Hampshire Superior Court to an eight-count indictment charging him with aggravated rape, kidnapping and indecent assault and battery, among other offenses.

Ezequiel Torres, 36, was indicted by a Superior Court grand jury May 7 after his initial arraignment in Northampton District Court.

He is accused of drugging and raping a woman in his car at two places in Northampton on Feb. 9. He then allegedly dropped her off at ServiceNet’s Grove Street Inn, where she was staying at the time, where she reported the alleged assaults.

Torres is charged with two counts of aggravated rape, kidnapping, three counts of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or older, witness intimidation, and possession of a class B drug (Suboxone), subsequent offense.

All are felonies except for the drug charge.

Assistant District Attorney Andrew Covington told Judge John Agostini that Torres also was being held without the right to bail on another case out of Hampden Superior Court.

Defense attorney Jack Godleski filed a motion, which Agostini allowed, to have the Grove Street Inn preserve until Sept. 3 all its surveillance footage from the night of Feb. 9.

Godleski wrote in his motion that the camera footage may contain information that might help his client’s defense, including the alleged victim’s conversation with the first witness, her appearance and any signs of intoxication, her interactions with police, her taking a phone call from Torres, and her receiving medical attention.

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Torres’ next court date was set for June 25.

James Pentland can be reached at jpentland@gazettenet.com.