Court officer accused of repeatedly raping inmate, held on bail
A Lawrence court officer was arraigned Thursday on rape charges following allegations he repeatedly sexually assaulted a female defendant in his custody.
Jose Martinez, 46, of Lawrence, is accused of sexually assaulting the woman in a holding cell, prisoner elevator, and stairwell at the courthouse on three separate occasions between 2009 and 2014. The 15-year employee of the Lawrence District Court also allegedly asked a coworker to help him destroy a cell phone that he hid inside the courthouse before it could be seized by investigators.
Prosecutors said the victim was in custody on drug and fugitive from justice charges and later reported the attacks to officials at a jail where she was held in 2014.
Martinez was charged with four counts of rape, six counts of indecent assault and battery, and single counts of assault with intent to rape and misleading investigators, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. The case was moved to Lynn District Court due to Martinez’s long-time employment at Lawrence District Court.
Martinez was held on $50,000 bail Thursday, authorities said. Should Martinez post bail, he must also wear a GPS monitor and stay confined to his home.
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