Corrections Officer Raped Inmate At Framingham Prison: DA

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A corrections officer at the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham was indicted for sexually assaulting an inmate this week, officials said.

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan announced that Joao Gomes, 49, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, is charged with four counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery for multiple incidents involving a female inmate while employed as a corrections officer.

He is also charged with three counts of delivering articles to prisoners in a corrections institution, for allegedly purchasing underwear for more than one inmate.

Gomes has been charged with rape 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, officials said.

This is the first case in Middlesex County charged under the updated statute.

Gomes was arrested Wednesday at his Rhode Island residence. A date for his appearance in Middlesex Superior Court has not yet been scheduled.