A 24-year-old Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary has pleaded not guilty to charges of unlawful wiretap and breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit a felony. Daniel G. Richards was arrested on Sunday.
Richards is accused of breaking into another student’s dorm room and videotaping her without her consent. The female student reported the incident last July after discovering a video recording device in her room. She claimed that someone broke in.
Richards, who has been suspended indefinitely from the school and was ordered to move out of his dorm, is scheduled to appear in court for a pre-trial hearing at the end of next month.
In Massachusetts, a conviction for breaking and entering with intent to commit a felony can land a defendant in jail for up to 20 years. Other consequences can include suspension from school, loss of scholarship opportunities, having your applications for professional licenses denied, denial of US citizenship if you are an immigrant, loss of career opportunities, and the revocation of certain civil rights.
There are ways to combat a breaking and entering charge.
Other kinds of Massachusetts breaking and entering offenses:
• Breaking and entering with intent to commit a misdemeanor
• Breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony • Entering without breaking in the nighttime • Entry without breaking into a dwelling in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony
Seminary student charged with secretly filming classmate, Boston Herald, August 31, 2010
Theological student charged with videotaping female student, WBZ, August 31, 2010
Related Web Resource:
General Laws of Massachusetts
Remember, physical breaking and entering doesn’t have to happen for someone to be charged with Massachusetts breaking and entering. Our Boston burglary defense lawyers represent clients throughout the state.