Rhode Island man accused of sexually assaulting inmate as Massachusetts Corrections Officer, purchasing underwear for more than one inmate

WOBURN – Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that 49-year-old Joao Gomes of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, has been indicted in Woburn Superior Court for allegedly sexually assaulting a female inmate in the Massachusetts Correctional Institution in Framingham. Gomes was employed at the time as a Corrections Officer.

Gomes is charged with four counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery for multiple incidents involving a female inmate. 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.  This is the first case in Middlesex County charged under the updated statute.

Gomes was arrested Wednesday at his residence in Rhode Island without incident. A date for his appearance in Middlesex Superior Court has not yet been scheduled.

This case is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, and the Massachusetts Department of Corrections. Rhode Island State Police and the Massachusetts State Police Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section assisted with today’s arrest. The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Megan McGovern. The Victim Witness Advocate is Renee Leone.