A 40-year-old man accused of sexually assaulting two women inside the women’s locker room at a Porter Square Planet Fitness pleaded not guilty Friday and will remain in custody ahead of an Oct. 16 dangerousness hearing.
Laquan Holland was arraigned in Cambridge District Court on two counts of assault with intent to commit rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14, kidnapping and witness intimidation.
Cambridge police were called to the Planet Fitness at 1815 Massachusetts Ave., on the bottom floor of Lesley University’s University Hall, shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday.
“According to the initial report, a male entered the women’s locker room and sexually assaulted individuals inside. Officers responded and subsequently located the individual who was placed under arrest at 9:22 a.m.,” police spokesperson Jennie Lopez wrote in a statement to Cambridge Day.
One victim was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, Lopez said.
Prosecutors said at Friday’s arraignment that police spoke with two women who said Holland assaulted them, according to NBC10 Boston. The first woman told police Holland repeatedly struck her, touched intimate areas of her body without consent, partially removed some of her clothing and prevented her from leaving.
A second woman heard the first woman call for help and went to intervene, prosecutors said. She told police she saw physical contact and partial nudity before Holland allegedly touched intimate areas of her body without consent and attempted to force her to touch an intimate area of his body.
Planet Fitness said it canceled Holland’s membership following the incident and is cooperating with the police investigation.
“Planet Fitness is committed to providing a safe environment for all. The franchise group has cancelled the membership of the individual involved and is working with local law enforcement to support their investigation into this matter,” the company wrote.
According to court records reviewed by Boston.com, Holland pleaded guilty in 2006 to two counts of child rape and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. He was also arrested in Cambridge on Aug. 25 on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender, which was later dismissed at the request of prosecutors.
Cambridge police said the incident remains under investigation and declined to provide additional information.
A stronger
Please consider making a financial contribution to maintain, expand and improve Cambridge Day.
We are now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and all donations are tax deductible.
Please consider a recurring contribution.