Hernan Villagran Lux, 29, of Framingham, was arrested Sunday night on the Cochituate Rail Trail after prosecutors say the mime stalker repeatedly harassed female park employees at a Natick state park, at times allegedly stripping down and smearing himself with cooking oil, according to prosecutors and court filings.
Authorities charged Lux with criminal harassment following multiple reports from Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) staff and civilian posts shared online warning of a man in a mime-like costume approaching women on nearby trails. Those allegations are from prosecutors, court filings and local reporting and have not been proven in court.
What prosecutors allege
Prosecutors say Lux repeatedly targeted three female DCR employees at a Natick state park over roughly two months, according to court records filed in Framingham District Court. The filings allege the conduct escalated over time, with one employee reporting more than 50 separate encounters to supervisors and investigators.
Court filings reviewed by prosecutors describe instances in which Lux allegedly removed most of his clothing, left in underwear, and applied cooking oil to his body while exercising or lingering near staff areas. Prosecutors told the court that the actions included prolonged staring, unwelcome comments and approaches that frightened employees and interfered with their work.
The criminal complaint lists repeated incidents of unwanted contact and alleges conduct intended to alarm or harass the workers. Prosecutors emphasized those facts during the initial hearing; defense counsel has disputed aspects of the account but has not yet filed a formal written response in the public record, according to court dockets and local news reports.
Reports from Department of Conservation and Recreation staff
Three female DCR employees identified the individual to investigators by name and appearance in interviews cited by prosecutors. Staff accounts, as summarized in filings, say some encounters were brief but recurring and that the pattern made routine maintenance and patrol work more difficult and stressful.
One staff member told supervisors she encountered the man more than 50 times, sometimes at or near work areas, and that co-workers avoided certain sections of the park while the behavior continued, according to court documents read aloud in the hearing.
Supervisors and DCR officials relayed those on-the-job safety concerns to local law enforcement and to prosecutors, who used the reports to support criminal-harassment charges. Authorities say the complaints created an ongoing safety concern for staff who are often alone on trails and in maintenance areas.
Why the mime stalker allegations raise safety concerns
Local social media amplified alarm about a man described as wearing mime-like makeup or costume, with multiple posts from residents in Framingham, Natick and nearby towns saying they or friends had seen a similar-looking man on trails. Those posts, which helped prompt more civilian reports to police, are unverified and should not be treated as confirmed identification, law enforcement officials cautioned.
Neighbors told reporters they initially assumed the person was performing or in costume, but several said the repeated pattern of encounters described by DCR employees felt threatening, not theatrical. Prosecutors told the court that the combination of workplace complaints and multiple public reports justified arrest to protect the community and preserve evidence.
Police say community posts and tips assisted investigators but that social-media identifications remain allegations until corroborated by investigators and court proceedings. That distinction was emphasized by prosecutors and defense counsel during the initial hearing, according to court records.
Court proceedings and mental health order
At a Framingham District Court hearing, prosecutors laid out the harassment allegations and described the number of complaints and the effect on employees. Court records show Lux fainted during the proceeding and received medical attention before the hearing resumed.
Following the hearing, a judge ordered Lux to undergo a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital. The judge said the evaluation would help determine competency, any treatment needs and how best to proceed with criminal charges, according to the court transcript and filings referenced by prosecutors.
The ordered evaluation is a common judicial tool when a defendant exhibits concerning behavior or possible medical issues during court. Bridgewater State Hospital will complete an assessment and return findings to the court; those findings can affect scheduling, potential plea negotiations and the framing of future charges, attorneys and court officials told reporters.
What comes next for the case
Prosecutors will review the Bridgewater evaluation and decide whether to pursue additional charges or move forward with the current criminal harassment counts. Follow-up hearings in Framingham District Court will address the evaluation results and set a timetable for the next steps, court records show.
Legal experts say the evaluation could lead to treatment-focused outcomes, competency hearings or continued criminal proceedings depending on medical findings. Defense counsel and prosecutors have not yet announced specific future dates beyond the initial scheduling notes in the docket.
Local authorities urge anyone who believes they were approached or harassed to report incidents to police, provide dates, times and location details when possible, and preserve any photos or messages. Officers said those details help investigators corroborate accounts and build a timeline.
Because the allegations are based on prosecutor statements, court filings and civilian reports, readers should treat them as claims pending further investigation and legal process. The accused has the right to a defense and to contest the allegations in court.
Frequently asked questions
Is the mime stalker in custody?
Yes. Hernan Villagran Lux was arrested Sunday night on the Cochituate Rail Trail and is facing criminal harassment charges, according to prosecutors and court filings cited by local reporting.
What charges does he face?
Prosecutors charged Lux with criminal harassment related to repeated unwanted contacts with Department of Conservation and Recreation employees. Additional charges could be filed as investigations continue.
Was a mental health evaluation ordered?
Yes. After Lux fainted during a court hearing, a judge ordered a mental health evaluation at Bridgewater State Hospital; the results will be used in subsequent court proceedings, according to court records.
Source: Fox News
