Manchester police are trying to identify a man arrested on charges of child sexual assault and identity fraud. The suspect, known as “John Doe” in the investigation, is currently detained at the Hillsborough County Jail. Initially, the man was believed to be 60-year-old Angel Rivera Laureano when he was accused of sexually assaulting a child last year, but further investigation has revealed discrepancies in his identity.
The charges against the suspect are serious. A Class A felony charge for child sexual assault could result in a sentence of 7.5 to 15 years in prison, making it one of the most severe crimes after murder, according to former county attorney Patricia LaFrance.
While investigating the sexual assault case, authorities discovered that the man may have been living under a false identity for decades. Court documents reveal that his fingerprints matched a person with a long criminal history across New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire dating back to the 1990s. The suspect allegedly used at least five different names during his time in various states.
Authorities were able to contact the real Angel Rivera Laureano in Puerto Rico, who confirmed he did not know the individual posing as him. According to LaFrance, personal information theft is becoming easier due to data leaks from companies that store sensitive data. She emphasized the importance of monitoring one’s credit report as a precaution.
The investigation continues as police attempt to uncover more details about the suspect’s past and true identity.
