27-year-old Dartmouth man sentenced to prison in Fall River after raping acquaintance after New Year’s Eve party

A 27-year-old Dartmouth man was sentenced to serve three to five years in state prison this week after being convicted of raping an acquaintance after a New Year’s Eve party two years ago, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

Justin Camara pleaded guilty on Tuesday in Fall River Superior Court to indictments charging him with rape and witness intimidation.

The victim and Camara were attending a party hosted by a mutual friend on Dec. 31, 2020. The victim was intoxicated and wanted to leave so she could get some sleep. She had previously booked a hotel room in Seekonk. Camara, who she had met a few times previously, offered to drive her. She was apprehensive but her friend vouched for him. Instead of bringing her to Seekonk, Camara took her to the Capri Motel in Dartmouth.

Dartmouth Police Department photo.

Upon entering the room, the victim laid down with the intention of trying to go to sleep. Camara laid in bed with her and began touching her and telling her she was beautiful. He tried to take off her pants, but the victim repeatedly told Camara she didn’t want to have sex with him. She got up and went to the bathroom to get away from him. While she was in the bathroom, Camara hid her cell phone. When she returned to the room, he was completely naked on the bed and the victim couldn’t find her phone. Camara began touching her again, becoming more aggressive, completely removing her pants, getting on top of her, pinning her hands above her head and raping her. The victim repeatedly tried to push the defendant off and repeatedly told him no.

On January 1, 2021, the victim spoke with the mutual friend who hosted the party. She told him generally that the defendant forced himself on her, at which point the friend contacted Camara to confront him. During a subsequent phone call between the mutual friend, Camara and the victim, he repeatedly told her “don’t do this” and tried to convince her he didn’t rape her. Camara acknowledged she said no multiple times, said she was tired, and said she didn’t want to have sex but denied it was rape. Camara also offered the victim money, marijuana, and offered to help her with groceries, while asking her not to “do this.”

On January 4, 2021, the victim walked into the Dartmouth police station and reported the rape. She also submitted to a rape kit and Camara’s sperm was present.

At the time of the incident, Camara was on probation out of Fall River for an Indecent Assault and Battery +14 with similar facts that resulted in an 18 month jail sentence.

“I am pleased the defendant was held accountable for taking advantage of the victim and sexually assaulting her. It is concerning that the defendant was already on probation for similar conduct at the time of this incident. He clearly needs to be kept off streets to protect this victim and others from this defendant,” District Attorney Quinn said.

The case was prosecuted by Gillian Kirsch and the state prison sentence was imposed by Judge Raffi Yessayan.