A Somerville man was held on $18,000 cash bail today following his arraignment for allegedly violating the civil rights of two young women on an Orange Line train by kicking them while using a variety of slurs, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

JOSEPH BALISTRERI (D.O.B. 7/26/74) was arraigned this morning in Charlestown District Court on two counts of civil rights violations, two counts of assault and battery, and single counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

In addition to setting bail, Judge Lawrence McCormick ordered Balistreri to stay away from the victims and off the MBTA while his case is pending.

MBTA Transit Police arrested Balistreri at his home Saturday for the physical and verbal attack he allegedly committed on two Boston teens aboard an Orange Line train on the night of Nov. 19.

Shortly before 11:00, authorities say, Balistreri approached the 18- and 19-year-old victims as they sat on an inbound train at Sullivan Station. After allegedly calling both young women “lesbians” and referring to one of them with an ethnic slur, he allegedly punched and kicked at them, hitting one in the face and the other in the chest. He also allegedly spat at both of them.

“No one should have to endure the verbal and physical abuse these two victims suffered,” Conley said. “That behavior will not be tolerated – period.”

Using images recorded by MBTA surveillance cameras and tips from the public, Transit Police identified and located Balistreri last week.

Balistreri was represented today by attorney Thomas McCormick. He will return to court on Dec. 17.