Charges Reduced in Mansfield Rape Case

A homeless man living in a Boston shelter accused of raping a woman in Mansfield will face a lesser charge.

Jorel Alfred, 43, is now charged with indecent assault and battery according to the Sun Chronicle. The reduction comes after prosecutors chose to not seek a grand jury indictment that would transfer the case to superior court. District courts lack the jurisdiction to try a rape case.

In December, Alfred and the woman took the Commuter Rail to Mansfield on Dec. 12 and got into a car at the Mansfield Gas station on Chauncy Street, where he works part time.

The woman fell asleep in the car and told police that Alfred sexually assaulted her before she passed out and may have again afterwards.

At his arraignment, Alfred said he paid the woman for sex.

Alfred is currently being held on $2,500 cash bail and is due back in court on Feb. 4.