Convicted Child Rapist Is Accused of Sexually Assaulting Two Women in Planet Fitness Locker Room

Laquan Holland, 40, has pleaded not guilty to charges arising from allegations that he sexually assaulted two women in the women's locker room at a Planet Fitness in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Cambridge police arrested Holland on 1 October after officers responded shortly after 9am to a report of a sexual assault in progress at the gym at 1815 Massachusetts Avenue in Porter Square. One woman was taken to hospital for evaluation.

Court records show Holland pleaded guilty in 2006 to two counts of child rape and one count of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Those convictions are separate from the current case and do not establish guilt on the new charges, which have not been tested in court.

Police Response and Charges

Police were called to the gym shortly after 9 a.m. following a report that a man had entered the women's locker room and assaulted people there. Officers arrested Holland inside the building, according to police.

Holland appeared in Cambridge District Court on 2 October. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf to two counts of assault to rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person aged 14 or over, and one count each of kidnapping and witness intimidation.

The charging counts reflect the allegations put forward by prosecutors at the arraignment. They do not represent findings of fact.

A judge ordered Holland held pending a dangerousness hearing on 16 October. At that hearing, the judge will consider whether Holland should be detained before trial. The proceeding will not determine whether he committed the offences alleged in the case.

Holland's lawyer did not object to the order pending the hearing. Holland is presumed innocent unless and until prosecutors prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.

Prosecutors' Allegations

Prosecutors alleged that the first woman had some previous awareness of Holland, although she may not have known his full name. They said Holland repeatedly struck her, touched her without consent, partially removed her clothing and restrained her in a room.

The first woman was able to call for help, prosecutors said. A second woman who did not know Holland allegedly heard those calls and entered the area to intervene.

Prosecutors alleged that Holland then touched the second woman without her consent and attempted to direct her hand towards his body. They said the two women were the alleged victims in the case.

August Charge and Gym Response

Holland was arrested on 25 August on a charge of failing to register as a sex offender. Court records show the charge was dismissed that day at the Commonwealth's request. The available records do not state why the Commonwealth sought the dismissal.

Planet Fitness said Holland was a member of the gym and that its franchise group cancelled his membership after the incident. The company said it was working with local law enforcement on the investigation.

The gym operates independently in a building owned by Lesley University. The university said no Lesley students or employees were involved in the reported incident. The case remains pending, with Holland due back in court for the 16 October dangerousness hearing.