ST. THOMAS, V.I. – A man who was charged with aggravated rape and related offenses of a minor boy was released on an unsecured bond.

            Juan Rivera, 37, of Altona appeared before V.I. Superior Court Magistrate Henry Carr III Friday morning to be advised of his rights on one count each of first-degree aggravated rape, unlawful sexual conduct and child abuse following his arrest on Thursday.

            Magistrate Carr found probable cause to sustain the charges and released Rivera on $75,000 unsecured bond into the third-party custody of his mother.  Magistrate Carr also ordered Rivera to abide by a number of court-imposed bail conditions, which include surrendering his passport.

            According to a probable cause fact sheet filed by Officer Tianna Hunt in support of the arrest, the child’s mother told police that she noticed swelling and redness to her son’s anus.  She then asked him what happened and he said Rivera put his finger in his anus.  The child told his mother that although he cried, Rivera did not stop.

The mother took the child to a doctor who, after examining the area, confirmed that there appeared to be irritation and redness that could possibly be from a finger being inserted repeatedly, according to Hunt.

Rivera is scheduled to return to court on May 18 for his arraignment hearing at which he will formally answer to the charges.