Lynn man accused of grabbing woman in MBTA parking garage

LYNN – A judge ordered $500 cash bail for a city man who allegedly followed a woman into the MBTA parking garage and grabbed her breast.But the man denied the charges and suggested he was a victim of extortion.”I’m told this is a regular place for these activities involving somebody who solicits money…” Public Defender Arthur Carakatsane said in Lynn District Court Wednesday, leaving the rest of the sentence unsaid. “She demanded more money for this final round, and he was unable to provide it.”Manuel Gomez, 56, was arrested and charged with indecent assault and battery on a person over 14; Tuesday, according to MBTA Police.A plea of not guilty was entered on his behalf at his Wednesday arraignment in Lynn District Court.MBTA Transit Police on patrol in the parking garage at the Lynn Commuter Rail Station said that a woman reported to officers that a man had followed her into the station and grabbed her left breast before fleeing on a bicycle, Essex Assistant District Attorney Andrew Boyd told the court. The alleged victim told police the suspect routinely follows and harasses her, soliciting her for sex. The woman described the suspect, and positively identified Gomez as the alleged perpetrator when police found him on a nearby street.Boyd requested Gomez be held on $10,000 cash bail.Carakatsane requested Gomez be released on personal recognizance. Carakatsane said Gomez had an “ongoing relationship” with the alleged victim and that she was trying to get more money from the defendant. Carakatsane said his client, who has lived locally for eight years and works at a seafood company in Gloucester, faced mandatory deportation if convicted of the charge.Judge Ellen Flatley said the threat of deportation meant Gomez posed a flight risk and ordered $500 cash bail.