MEDFORD — Flanked by high-profile legal representation, Dorchester state Representative Carlos A. Henriquez pleaded not guilty Tuesday to kidnapping and assault charges stemming from an alleged altercation in Arlington last month with a woman who was then his girlfriend.
Henriquez did not speak during his brief arraignment in Cambridge District Court, which is housed in Medford. He appeared with two lawyers: Jeffrey Denner and Stephanie Soriano-Mills, who represented Henriquez last month when he pleaded not guilty in Roxbury Municipal Court to charges related to the same incident.
Henriquez was released on personal recognizance. He told reporters outside the courthouse that he looks forward to resolving the case in court and is eager to turn his attention to key issues in his district.
Henriquez was arrested by Boston police last month after Katherine Gonzalves escaped from his car near Northeastern University early on the morning of July 8.
In police reports and at a press conference last month, Gonzalez said that Henriquez came to her Arlington home and that the couple got into the rear seat of the vehicle and began kissing.
But when Gonzalez told Henriquez she had to return home, she said, he physically assaulted her, stole the battery out of her cellphone, and forced her to remain in his car while he drove into Boston, where she managed to free herself on Forsyth Street.
Henriquez, a first-term lawmaker, has previously called Gonzalez’s statements “completely untrue.” In response, Gonzalez told reporters, “I have told the truth about this incident and will continue to do so.”
On Tuesday, Cambridge District Court Judge Roanne Sragow ordered Northeastern to provide surveillance videos from the scene to attorneys involved in the case. The judge also ordered Henriquez to comply with the restraining order Gonzalez has obtained against Henriquez. Gonzalez was not in court Tuesday.
Arlington police have charged Henriquez with kidnapping, witness intimidation, three counts of assault and battery, and larceny under $250. In Roxbury court, he is facing charges of kidnapping, intimidation of a witness, and larceny under $250.
In a statement, Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. characterized the severity of the allegations against Henriquez.
“These are serious criminal charges against a publicly elected official who holds a position of trust within our state government,” he said. “We will continue to work on behalf of victims of domestic violence, reducing barriers against disclosure, and holding offenders accountable.”