New Bedford man convicted of rape, kidnapping

FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A New Bedford man was convicted of aggravated rape and kidnapping in Fall River Superior Court, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s office.

Abner Rivera, 37, was found guilty after a jury trial that proved he kidnapped an intoxicated woman from a street corner in New Bedford and raped her in a nearby garage.

The incident occurred on January 15, 2023 when the 22-year-old victim was dropped off at the corner of Acushnet Avenue and Dean Street after a night out with friends.

Video surveillance showed Rivera capturing the victim and carrying her over his shoulder with her head bobbing, consistent with an unconscious person.

Rivera is then shown carrying the victim into a nearby garage, gathering cardboard and committing the assault.

The victim is later seen attempting to stand before Rivera dragged her back into the garage.

Rivera then left the garage and reported to a local fire statin that he had located a drunken female.

She was transported to a local hospital and had no memory of the incident.

Investigators located a condom in a dumpster in the garage which was tested for DNA and was found to contain DNA from both Rivera and the victim.

Rivera will be sentenced on March 14 in Fall River Superior Court.