Sex Offender Charged After Alleged Planet Fitness Locker Room Attack

A 40-year-old man with prior child rape convictions is facing multiple felony charges after prosecutors said he attacked a woman inside a Planet Fitness in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and then allegedly sexually assaulted a female employee who tried to help. Authorities identified the suspect as Laquan Holland, a member of the Porter Square gym, who was ordered held without bail following his arraignment.

According to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, the incident happened around 9 a.m. on Oct. 1. Prosecutors said Holland arrived at the gym with a woman he knew after offering to let her use the showers. Once inside, he allegedly began hitting her. Investigators said the woman ran into the women’s locker room and shower area in an attempt to escape.

Prosecutors allege Holland followed her into that area, continued assaulting her, touched her inappropriately, tried to remove her clothing and prevented her from leaving. A female employee then entered the shower area and attempted to pull Holland away from the woman, authorities said. Prosecutors allege Holland sexually assaulted that employee as well before police arrived.

When officers got to the gym, Holland was allegedly still inside the locker room and trying to put his clothes back on, according to prosecutors. He has since been charged with two counts of assault to rape, two counts of indecent assault and battery, kidnapping and witness intimidation. A dangerousness hearing is scheduled for Oct. 16. NBC10 Boston reported that a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

Prior convictions and registration history

The case has drawn added attention because of Holland’s criminal record and a recent registration-related case. Court records cited by Boston.com 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 for failing to register as a sex offender, subsequent offense, according to police records reviewed by Fox News Digital. Prosecutors said Holland is homeless, was known to stay in Cambridge and Boston, and is required to complete registration and verification requirements every 30 days.

The district attorney’s office said Holland went to Cambridge police headquarters to register on Aug. 25 but was arrested because he was late. That charge was later dismissed on the condition that he complete the registration process, which prosecutors said he did on Aug. 27. The alleged gym attack happened only weeks later.

Response from Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness said the franchise operator canceled Holland’s membership and is cooperating with law enforcement. In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, the company said it is committed to providing a safe environment for all and is supporting the local investigation.

The allegations have renewed scrutiny around safety in locker rooms and the monitoring of repeat sex offenders, particularly those with extensive criminal histories. The charges in this case remain allegations, and Holland is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Still, prosecutors’ account describes a violent episode inside a public fitness center that left two women at the center of a serious criminal case.