Cape Cod Man Used Sexual Assault As Punishment For Poor Vape Sales: DA

BARNSTABLE, MA — A Cape Cod man was arraigned in Orleans District Court this week for sexual assaults on three victims, the Cape and Islands District Attorney announced.

Barry Viprino, 42, of Harwich, was arraigned on 11 charges of rape, one count of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 or over and possession of a large capacity firearm.

Names of the victims haven't been released due to the nature, but the DA's Office has released information about what Viprino is alleged to have done to all three victims.

Victim One

According to officials, the Harwich Police Department became aware of allegations of sexual assault in August 2023 from the first victim.

Through the course of their investigation, two additional victims came forward in October and November 2023.

In August 2023, victim one was in a detached garage and office space at Viprino's residence. Viprino is alleged to have locked the door before lifting his shirt to reveal "what appeared to be a gun," before instructing the victim to remove her clothes and lay down on the couch.

"Out of fear, the victim complied, and it is alleged that [Viprino] sexually assaulted her," the DA's Office said.

Victim Two

In August 2023, it is alleged that Viprino also sexually assaulted the second victim in the same wing of his home.

Over the next several weeks, it is alleged that Viprino repeatedly threatened and coerced this victim to "submit to sexual acts at his office garage or at Victim 2’s house," officials said.

It is alleged that Viprino also forced the victim to sell vape pods for him to her underage friends, and would punish her with sexual assaults if she did not sell enough pods or if she otherwise got into trouble or fights, officials said.

Victim Three

The third victim met Viprino while she was at the second victim's house, officials said.

Viprino then took this victim back to his office and garage area, locked the door, and it is alleged that Viprino then forcefully sexually assaulted her, the DA's Office said.

During the assault, it is alleged that Viprino told the victim that this would happen at least three times a week and, that if she didn't "follow the rules, she would be in trouble," officials said.

The DA's Office said Viprino sexually assaulted this victim on at least two subsequent occasions at the second victim's house and his office garage space.

Members of the Harwich Police Department executed a search warrant on Viprino's office garage space in September 2023.

Inside, police located various high-capacity magazines and the owner’s manual to a "specific type of firearm," officials said.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Courtney Scalice. Viprino was arraigned in the Orleans District Court on Thursday, and was held on $100,000 bail for each docket totaling $200,000.

He is scheduled to appear in the Orleans District Court on Dec. 14, 2023.