Boston man charged with assault, civil rights violation for attack on MBTA train at Maverick Station

BOSTON, November 21, 2024 – A Boston man was deemed dangerous in BMC East Boston last week after he was arraigned on a civil rights violation and several assault charges stemming from an incident at the Maverick MBTA station on Halloween, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden announced.

GREGORY BURNETT, 53, of Boston was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (shod foot) and civil rights violation with injury.

Judge Debra DelVecchio found Burnett dangerous on Friday and ordered him to home confinement with GPS monitoring except for employment. Burnett is due back in court on January 21 for a probable cause hearing.

On November 1, MBTA Transit police met with the victim, 41, who reported being assaulted by another passenger at Maverick station the night before. The victim was on a Blue Line train which was stopped with the doors open when a man, later identified as Burnett, boarded the train, immediately approached her, and began shouting derogatory terms at her. The victim said Burnett made statements such as “you’re not a woman, you’re a man” and then assaulted her by punching and kicking her. The victim reported Burnett kicking her in the crotch area.

The victim attempted to defend herself but Burnett grabbed her foot by the heel and pulled her leg, causing her to fall to the ground, fracturing her wrist.

Several passengers on the train intervened and assisted the victim in fighting off Burnett and removed him from the train.

The victim, who identifies as transgender, told police she felt targeted due to her gender identity based on Burnett’s remarks during the assault.

Using witness descriptions and review of surveillance video MBTA police investigators were able to identify Burnett. Burnett was arrested on November 12 at Maverick station.

“We will never tolerate anyone being subjected to abuse—much less physical attack—for their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. And all our residents and visitors have the right and expectation to travel on public transportation in peace and safety.  I thank the transit police for their diligent work in identifying and arresting a suspect in this frightening assault,” Hayden said.