New Bedford man accused of exposing himself to students released on personal recognizance as more details released

WAREHAM – A New Bedford man was arraigned Thursday in Wareham District Court on criminal charges after allegedly exposing himself Wednesday at a school in Marion where he was employed, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz has announced.

Joao Andrade, 37, is charged with one count of Open and Gross Lewdness. He pleaded not guilty to the charge, was released on personal recognizance and ordered by the court to stay away from all Tabor Academy students including the alleged victims. The Commonwealth requested Andrade be held on $1,000 cash bail.

Marion Police were called to respond to Tabor Academy by school personnel at about 12:40 p.m. Wednesday following reports of a kitchen worker exposing himself to two students in the dining hall.

Detectives spoke with multiple students individually about the alleged incident and conversations they had after the fact detailing the event. The victims in this case were each able to positively identify Andrade as the suspect. Andrade was subsequently taken into custody and interviewed by law enforcement at Marion Police Headquarters. During his interview, Andrade corroborated several details provided by the two victims regarding the incident — such as where he was seated in the dining hall and the position he was seated in — and stated to police that he could not have been mistaken for any of his coworkers.

Before being released from police headquarters late Wednesday evening Andrade was provided with a No Trespass Letter instructing him not to return to Tabor Academy.

Andrade is next scheduled to appear in court on May 9 for a pre-trial hearing.