A Massachusetts Department of Corrections Officer has been arrested and charged with rape of an inmate while working at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham.
On Wednesday, Joao Gomes, 49, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island was arrested by the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section with assistance from the Rhode Island State Police. Gomes was arrested at his residence without incident.
Gomes is being charged with four counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery for incidents involving female inmates at the MCI in Framingham.
The Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office says that Gomes has been charged under a statutory provision that was enacted as part of the 2020 police reform law that updated the statute relative to law enforcement engaging in sexual relations with persons under their custody or control.
The DA’s office also said that this is the first case in Middlesex County charged under the updated statute.
The charges against Gomes, the DA’s office says are “Allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”