New Bedford men convicted in child sexual abuse case

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — Two New Bedford men have been convicted of raping a nine-year-old girl in their Nye Street apartment.

Nicholas Pacheco, 41, was convicted of two counts of aggravated rape and abuse of a child with at least a five- year age difference.

Braulio Cast, 37, Pacheco’s housemate, was convicted of forcible rape of a child.

Pacheco will serve 10-15 years in state prison, and Castro will serve eight to 12 years in prison.

Both defendants are non-citizens of the U.S. and will likely be deported upon completion of their sentences.

“Sadly both defendants took advantage of their access to this young victim and sexually assaulted her,” said Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III. “I want to thank the jury for holding both defendants accountable for this despicable conduct.”