South Hadley man held without bail on rape charges

By EMILY CUTTS

@ecutts_HG

Published: 07-31-2017 8:37 PM

BELCHERTOWN — A South Hadley man is being held without right to bail pending a dangerousness hearing on charges that he raped a woman he met through a dating app.

Michael Durgin, 36, pleaded not guilty Monday in Eastern Hampshire District Court to two counts of rape. Durgin is being represented by attorney Emily Shallcross, of the Committee For Public Counsel Services.

He was convicted in 2015 of indecent assault and battery on child under 14. He is a registered level 3 sex offender.

Durgin was arrested by South Hadley Police last Thursday. On that day, Durgin invited the woman, whom he had met on the app Tinder, to his home for a date night a week after the two began texting, according to court documents.

The Gazette does not generally name alleged victims of sexual assault.

When the two arrived at Durgin’s apartment, his roommate was home and the woman told police she and Durgin were having a “good time, laughing and joking,” according to court documents.

After Durgin’s roommate left, however, the woman said, his demeanor quickly changed. Shortly afterward, Durgin allegedly raped her.

He is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a dangerousness hearing.

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Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.

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