Victor Pena, Accused Boston Kidnapper, To Be Charged With Rape

BOSTON — Victor Pena, the man who has been accused of abducting a woman from a Boston bar earlier this year - a story that made headlines across the nation - faces charges of kidnapping and aggravated rape, his attorney said Friday before the details were sealed by the court.

Pena, 38, of Charlestown, was in court Friday after an mental competency evaluation following his arrest in January in the disappearance of Olivia Ambrose, 23. Based on that evaluation, his attorney, Bill Barbarino, expects Pena will be declared fit to stand trial.

"He does have obstacles — cognitive obstacles," said Barabino.

Pena came into the courtroom with his hands secured behind his back, head down as he faced the judge. He did not say anything, but appeared to listen to his translator with bowed head throughout the pretrial hearing.

Pena comes into court pic.twitter.com/EMuj0NEMlL
— Jenna Fisher (@ReporterJenna) March 1, 2019

Details of the charges — one of kidnapping and three of rape — were not made public. A judge ordered them sealed until Pena's arraignment and dangerousness hearing March 15.

Pena was ordered held without bail and was taken to the Nashua Street Jail after his pretrial court appearance Friday.

Ambrose went missing in January, setting off a three-day search that ended when she was found alive in Pena's Charlestown apartment. She told police she had been held against her will and that Pena had taken her cell phone from her.

Pena had been given an initial mental health evaluation before his first court appearance at the request of his attorney that was conducted by a court-appointed mental health clinician, Dr. Jodie Shapiro.

Shapiro said in court earlier that when she talked to Pena, he acted bizarrely, falling to his knees several times, sucking his thumb and praying loudly for forgiveness, and that he appeared to be hearing voices.

"His behavior appears to be somewhat psychotic, but also bizarre," Shapiro said. "Some symptoms are so bizarre to suggest exaggeration."

But members of Pena's family said the mental problems are real.

Pena's brother, Jose, who lives in New Jersey, said he doesn't believe his brother is guilty of rape or kidnapping.

"It's clear to me something is missing," Jose Pena told reporters inside the Charlestown courtroom Friday. He said his brother's ex-wife would testify on his behalf later.

Authorities have said Charlie Card information and images from security footage helped identify Pena and helped lead to his arrest.

• Olivia Ambrose Details: Accused Kidnapper Gets Mental Evaluation
• Olivia Ambrose Found: Charlestown Man Charged With Kidnapping
• What Olivia Ambrose's Fateful Trip Looked Like
• Missing Woman, 23, Last Seen Leaving Boston Bar: Police, Family
• No Uber Human-Trafficking Ring: Cambridge Police
• Olivia Ambrose's Sister Thanks Everyone For Their Help
• Man Accused Of Kidnapping Olivia Ambrose To Get Evicted

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