Planet Fitness assault is under investigation in Cambridge, Massachusetts, after a 40-year-old man was accused of attacking a woman he brought to the gym to use the showers, then allegedly assaulting an employee who tried to help, according to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said Laquan Holland allegedly beat the woman, attempted to remove her clothing and blocked her from leaving inside the Porter Square location’s locker room and shower area.
Planet Fitness assault charges and court status
Prosecutors said the incident took place around 9 a.m. on Oct. 1. Holland, described as a member of the Porter Square gym, arrived with a woman he knew after offering her access to the showers. Once inside, he allegedly began striking her. The woman fled into the women’s locker room, where Holland allegedly followed and continued the attack while preventing her escape.
A female employee entered the shower area and tried to separate Holland from the woman. Prosecutors said Holland allegedly sexually assaulted the employee as well. Responding officers found Holland in the locker room attempting to put his clothes back on, according to the DA’s office.
Holland was arraigned on two counts of assault to rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery, kidnapping and witness intimidation. He was ordered held without bail. A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16, and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf, according to local reports.
Prior convictions and sex offender registration
Court records cited by local media 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. More recently, Cambridge police arrested him on Aug. 25 on a subsequent offense for failing to register as a sex offender, according to police records reviewed by prosecutors.
The DA’s office said Holland, who is homeless and known to stay in Cambridge and Boston, is required to complete registration and verification every 30 days. He arrived at Cambridge police headquarters to register on Aug. 25 but was arrested because he was late, prosecutors said. The charge was later dismissed on the condition that he complete registration, which he did on Aug. 27.
Gym response
Planet Fitness said the franchise operator has canceled Holland’s membership and is cooperating with investigators. “Planet Fitness is committed to providing a safe environment for all. The franchise group has cancelled the membership of the individual involved and is working with local law enforcement to support their investigation into this matter,” the company said.
Anyone with information related to the Planet Fitness assault in Porter Square is urged to contact Cambridge police. For more coverage of serious assault cases, see Prosecutors reopen Cornell University fraternity rape case.
