A former Dartmouth resident was indicted last week by a grand jury on multiple charges, including three counts of rape that took place in New Bedford in 2013, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced Wednesday.

The indictment comes after investigators in New Bedford and the D.A. 's Cold Case Unit reviewed similar cases that occurred in Corpus Christi, Texas that same year to identify 47-year-old Orlando Robles as the suspect.

The onetime Dartmouth resident is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Houston for that offense and an indecent exposure that took place several weeks later, also in Texas.

“I’m very pleased to announce this defendant was indicted by the Grand Jury for a series of sexual assaults that put the community at fear due to the violent and random nature of the attacks,” Quinn said. “Our Cold Case Unit will continue to review and investigate homicides and violent sexual assaults that remain unsolved by utilizing all investigative means, including advanced DNA technology.”

According to the D.A.’s office, four women were violently assaulted in New Bedford during June and July of 2013. Robles was brought in by police for an interview in connection with those assaults.

During his interview, Robles stated that he was a resident of Rockport, a small town near Corpus Christi, Texas, and that he was in the New Bedford area for work as a scallop fisherman.

He was released soon after questioning.

Upon leaving the interview, the D.A’s office said Robles fled from the residence he was renting in Dartmouth, taking all his belongings and asking his landlord to forward his deposit to a location in Texas.

Police observed that after Robles left for Texas, the spate of sexual assaults in New Bedford immediately stopped.

A series of similar incidents occurred not long after his arrival in the Corpus Christi area, the D.A.’s office said. 

In all four cases, the D.A.’s office said police found similarities: rapid approach by a stranger, followed by the almost immediate use of violent force, followed by an attempt to rape the woman, and fleeing the scene.

In addition to the rape, Robles is also charged with two counts of assault with intent to rape, one count of kidnapping, one count of indecent assault and battery on a person over the age of 14, two counts of assault and battery, and one count of use of a motor vehicle during a felony.

The District Attorney’s office said it will seek to lodge a warrant against Robles that would require him to answer the New Bedford charges before completing his sentence in Texas. Robles is eligible for parole in Texas in 2023.