Villa released with GPS bracelet

From the Wicked Local Walpole website:

   Accused child rapist and former Walpole High School football coach Danny Villa was released from police custody today following the activation of a Global Positioning System that will monitor his whereabouts.
    At Villa’s hearing this morning, a Wrentham District Court judge agreed to allow Villa to live in a location outside of Walpole.   
    Villa, 44, who was being held at the Norfolk County Correctional Facility in Dedham, pleaded not guilty to charges of statutory rape and enticement of a minor at his arraignment on Dec. 30.
    According to the District Attorney’s office, Villa posted $7,500 bail early this morning, was fitted with a GPS bracelet and surrendered his passport.
    Norfolk Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Rowe, however, was concerned that Villa may have an-other passport because the one he surrendered has been expired for 10 years.
    A sullen-looking and handcuffed Villa, wearing the same blazer and oxford shirt in which he was arrested and arraigned, said he did not possess another passport.
    “There’s no risk of flight,” said his attorney, Heather Baer.
    District Court Judge Warren A. Powers said Villa is not permitted to obtain or apply for a passport; prior bail terms also stipulate he must stay away from all Walpole schools as well as the alleged victim, her family, and children under the age of 16 (with the exception of his own kids).
    The disgraced former New England Patriot and Walpole High Athletic Director and teacher faces a lifetime behind bars for allegedly raping a 15-year-old Walpole High School student.
    Rowe expressed apprehension that Villa would be living seven-tenths of a mile away from another town’s high school, where there would be a large community of students who are under 16.
    Villa’s bail terms do not specify a distance he must stay away from minors or state that he must stay away from schools that are not in Walpole, argued Baer.
    “(Villa) has agreed to abide by the court’s order to stay away from Walpole public schools,” she said.
    Baer also said that a “very high percentage” of residences in the state are close to a school, adding, “seven-tenths of a mile is a considerable distance.”
    Rowe told the court she didn’t think the living situation would be appropriate, calling the fact that specifics weren’t set at the Superior Court bail hearing a “wrinkle.”
    It is not known at this time where exactly Villa will be living or who has taken him in. Villa’s wife reportedly filed for divorce and sole custody of their four children when the rape charges came forth.
    Stating concerns that he would be harassed by the press, Baer asked the court to impound Villa’s new address – meaning it would not be available to anyone besides essential court personnel.
    “This case has already become something of a media circus,” she said.
    Powers agreed to not release the information himself, but refused to impound it.
    “The protection (of privacy) should go to the victim, not the defendant,” he said. “What are you protecting the defendant from?”
    Although Villa’s movements will be monitored by the GPS, he is not under house arrest and is free to move as he pleases – as long as the bail terms are not violated.
    Villa’s pretrial hearing is set for Wednesday, Jan. 28 in Wrentham District Court.
    Keith Ferguson can be reached at keith@walpoletimes.com or 508-668-0243 ext. 14.

   Check back here for frequent updates.
 

Read “Villa released with GPS bracelet” on the Wicked Local Walpole website