ROCKLAND — A Rockland man who was charged Sept. 30 with the alleged sexual assault of two young girls, ages 12 and 13, remains in custody at the Knox County Jail.

Matthew Nathaniel Boegel, 18, was arrested by Rockland Police and charged with two counts of sexual assault. He made his first court appearance Oct. 3 in Knox County Unified Court. Judge Susan Sparaco set Boegel’s bail at $2,500 cash and he is prohibited from having any contact with children 14 years or younger.

Boegel was initially charged by police as a minor for the alleged assault and was given a juvenile summons for the offense. He was not subject to any conditions and had contact with the victims. During an encounter, he asked one of the victims why she “ratted on him,” according to the police affidavit.

On Sept. 24, Rockland police received additional information about an incident that allegedly occurred Aug. 3 at a pool party. Police interviewed the two female victims, one of whom hosted the pool party. They confirmed that Boegel was an invited guest and described the details of the alleged assault which happened after the party. 

Boegel is now being charged as an adult for gross sexual assault because it was confirmed that the alleged incident occurred after he turned 18 on July 17. According to the court documents, police believe that Boegel knew that he was 18-years-old at the time of alleged assault and chose not to reveal this fact to them. 

He will appear in court again on Jan. 12, 2017.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com.