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Boston police sergeant charged with child rape held on $250K bail
Paul Downey is accused of raping a 14-year-old on two occasions in March and May. He has pleaded not guilty.
A Boston police sergeant was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail Tuesday as prosecutors allege he raped a 14-year-old boy after communicating with the child online.
Paul Downey, 58, of West Roxbury, was initially arraigned in the Boston Municipal Court’s Dorchester division Monday on four counts of aggravated rape of a minor, two counts of paying for sex with a child under 18, and two counts of electronically enticing a child for commercial sex. A not guilty plea was entered on his behalf.
Downey is accused of raping the child on two occasions in March and May. Addressing the court Tuesday, prosecutor Brandon DeAvilla alleged Downey paid the teen for sex and messaged the boy to negotiate payment for the meetups, starting at $50.
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“The child essentially says, ‘That’s too low. I’m 14. … You know I’m young, and you’re asking me to … commit a crime,’” DeAvilla said. “And the defendant responds with, ‘How about $80?’”
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DeAvilla said the child provided authorities a description of the suspect, as well as a description and partial license plate for the vehicle the man was driving. Using video surveillance, Snapchat messages, IP address logs, and other evidence, he said authorities were able to identify Downey as the alleged culprit.
Investigators found a car matching the description offered by the child parked outside Downey’s house and, at another point, outside Boston Police Department headquarters, according to DeAvilla. He alleged the child also identified Downey in a photo array with 90% certainty.
In requesting $250,000 cash bail, DeAvilla noted Downey made more than $268,000 last year and also pointed out that four of the sergeant’s charges carry 10-year mandatory minimum prison sentences. He requested several pretrial conditions of release should Downey post bail, arguing they were “necessary to ensure the safety of the victim and any potential future victims.”
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Public defender Vanessa Campbell, representing Downey for bail purposes, pointed out the sergeant has no prior criminal record and argued there’s nothing to suggest he wouldn’t appear for subsequent court dates. She said $250,000 cash bail is “far outside the realm” of what Downey can afford and suggested no more than $40,000 cash bail.
“He’s been in Boston his entire life,” Campbell said. “He has several cousins and other family members here. He is not at risk of flight.”
Judge Jonathan Tynes disagreed, ultimately siding with prosecutors.
“I do find that the serious nature of the charges that Mr. Downey faces, as well as the potential penalties on … the multiple counts and his financial resources do pose a risk of flight,” Tynes explained.
If Downey posts bail, court records indicate he will be required to stay away from and have no contact with the alleged victim and submit to GPS monitoring, among other conditions. He is due back in court July 29.
In the meantime, the Boston Police Department has placed Downey — a 34-year veteran of the force — on administrative leave.
“These charges are obviously very troubling and our thoughts are with any alleged victims,” Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox previously said in a statement. “We have faith in the Massachusetts State Police and the [Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office] to conduct a thorough investigation.”
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