Massachusetts Bail Fund says ‘Free Them All’ after foot-licking sexual assault suspect bailed is busted again
“Free Them All.”
Including sexual assault defendants who are accused of trying to rape another victim.
That’s the stance of the Massachusetts Bail Fund after a Boston man out on bail allegedly followed a female victim into her apartment building, grabbed her legs, and started licking her toes, according to police.
Cornelius Williams, 34, also allegedly tried to pull her dress off before the victim pushed Williams off her, screamed and said she would call 911 — causing Williams to run away.
Williams was arrested a few days after the alleged assault in the North End, thanks in part to surveillance footage from neighborhood staples Bova’s Bakery and Regina Pizzeria.
It was the second time in recent months that Boston police officers had arrested Williams. Back on Feb. 28, he allegedly assaulted a female victim in Downtown Crossing. Williams was out on bail when he allegedly tried to rape the victim in the North End last week.
According to the police report from the Downtown Crossing incident, the victim told officers that she felt “violated” by an unknown man while she was in the MBTA station and while walking on Washington/Winter streets.
The victim told police, “He forced me to have sex with him and paid me $20,” while making sexual statements to her. She later told officers that Williams “did not act on the above statements.”
She reported that Williams exposed himself to her, and that he touched her breasts and broke her necklace.
“The victim stated that she felt uncomfortable and appeared to be in fear,” the police report states.
Williams ended up being charged with indecent assault and battery for that February incident. The Suffolk DA’s Office requested that Williams be held on $20,000 bail back in March, but the judge lowered the bail amount to $2,500.
When the Herald asked the Massachusetts Bail Fund in the wake of the North End incident if they helped spring Williams a couple months ago, the only comment in response from the Massachusetts Bail Fund was: “Free Them All.”
Williams was also charged with assault and battery and open and gross lewdness in Chelsea in 2023, but the case was dismissed earlier this year because he was deemed incompetent.
Williams was out on bail on May 14 when he allegedly assaulted the female victim in the area of Margaret Street in the North End. Cops responded to an apartment building at about 10:53 p.m. for the reported assault.
The victim told police that she was getting home from work when she entered the front door, and she felt someone behind her grab her leg and lick her toes.
“The victim further states she was in shock and immediately turned around and shoved the unidentified suspect off of her,” reads the police report.
“Victim stated that she stayed on her feet and screamed for help,” the report adds. “Victim stated that the suspect was ‘making out with,’ ‘kissing,’ and ‘licking’ her feet and toes. In addition, suspect tried to pull down the victim’s dress, however, the suspect was unable to do so. Victim screamed and told suspect she would call 911, causing the suspect to flee.”
Before the incident, surveillance video in the area shows the suspect following the victim, as he stops behind the victim when she waits for a crosswalk signal.
The victim was wearing earbuds while walking home. She also told police that she had never seen the suspect before the alleged assault.
The North End police report also mentions a previous incident at the Clarendon Street Garage. A victim told police that a suspect grabbed her by the legs, causing her to fall to the ground.
The victim told him, “Take whatever you want,” and she threw her purse at him, but he wasn’t interested in it. The suspect allegedly removed her shoes and sucked on her toes. She ended up kicking him several times, causing him to run away.
Following that incident, a witness told police that the suspect’s name was Cornelius, and that he stays at the Pine Street Inn shelter. The witness added that she knew the suspect from a past stay at McLean Hospital, which specializes in mental health and psychiatric care.
For the North End incident, Williams was charged earlier this week with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 and assault to rape. He was ordered held without bail, pending a dangerousness hearing.
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Following the reported assault in the North End, Boston Police asked the public for help in the investigation, and put out surveillance photos of the suspect.
Police also reminded the public to remain aware of their surroundings, avoid distractions such as phones or headphones when walking alone at night, and report any suspicious activity to 911.
