Two Fall River men charged with sexual assault of juvenile in NH

NEWPORT, N.H. (WLNE) — Two Fall River men have been charged with sexual assault in Newport, New Hampshire after one suspect allegedly forced his way into a home armed with a knife.

According to Newport police, Jose Ricarte, 21, and Andy Abiel Garion Nowel, 20, are both charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault in the incident.

Ricarte is also charged with burglary.

On September 28, Newport police received a 911 call from a juvenile saying that a man armed with a knife was trying to get into her residence.

The arriving officer investigated the scene and took both Ricarte and Nowel into custody.

Ricarte was initially charged with simple assault and Nowel was placed in protective custody “due to his intoxication level,” according to Newport police.

The investigation continued with assistance from Criminal Investigations Division detectives.

Witness interviews and the analysis of physical, medical and digital forensic evidence gave investigators probable cause to believe the suspects had sexually assaulted the juvenile prior to the 911 call, according to Newport police.

Arrest warrants were issued for both suspects, including these new charges.

Ricarte was placed under arrest at the Sullivan County House of Corrections in Claremont, NH.

Nowel was arrested by Fall River police and extradited to New Hampshire by county sheriff personnel.

They were both arraigned in 5th District Court – District Division – in Newport.

They were both ordered held without bail.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.