N.J. attorney arrested for allegedly being 'serial rapist' in Boston area 15 years ago

BOSTON (TCD) – Police have arrested a 35-year-old man they allege raped several women in Boston’s Charlestown neighborhood in 2007 and 2008.

Boston Police announced May 30 they took Matthew J. Nilo into custody in New Jersey and charged him with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape, and one count of indecent assault and battery. Police said these assaults allegedly occurred Aug. 18, 2007, Nov. 22, 2007, Aug. 5, 2008, and Dec. 23, 2008.

Nilo reportedly lived in Boston’s North End during those years.

According to Boston.com, detectives from Boston Police Department’s Sexual Assault Unit worked with the FBI’s Boston office on the case, and they obtained $2.5 million in grant money to use on investigative genetic genealogy, which helped identify Nilo as the suspect. This same method has been used in other cold cases, notably the "Lady of the Dunes," which was also solved by the FBI in Boston.

In April, investigators reportedly got a positive match that allegedly linked Nilo to the assaults.

NBC New York reports Nilo resides in Weehawken, New Jersey, and was arrested after someone working the front desk at his apartment building called to report he had a package and he should come downstairs to pick it up.

Nilo’s LinkedIn shows he worked as a cyber claims attorney for Cowbell, a cyber insurance company. The company reportedly said in a statement that Nilo has been "suspended pending further investigation."

WCVB-TV reports Nilo appeared in court Thursday, June 1, and agreed to be extradited to Massachusetts.

MORE:

• BPD Commissioner Announces Sexual Assault Arrest in Connection to Incidents in 2007 and 2008 in Boston - Boston Police Department
• New Jersey lawyer charged for series of Boston rapes in 2007 and 2008 - Boston.com
• NJ Attorney Arrested in Series of Boston Rapes, Sex Attacks — and Cops Fear More Victims - NBC New York
• Boston serial rape suspect, attorney Matthew Nilo, agrees to be extradited to Massachusetts - WCVB