It seems that accusations of Massachusetts rape & sexual abuse can even reach into police departments.
Recently, an officer in the Lowell Police Department was charged with raping two prostitutes, and soliciting sex from other prostitutes, while on duty as a police officer. According to the Middlesex County District Attorney’s Office, Aravanh Lakmany was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury on Thursday, June 23 2011. The indictment alleges that Lakmany, working the overnight shift for as a Lowell police officer, solicited several prostitutes since early 2009. Prosecutors allege that Lakmany would order the women to get into the back seat of his cruiser, and sometimes his personal car, and would drive the women to a secluded area where he would engage in sex with them. The District Attorney has alleged that Lakmany traded sex for his promise not to arrest the women for prostitution. As a Boston/Dedham Massachusetts sex offenses lawyer, I can assure you that sex offenses can often be highly complicated cases. Many are not anywhere near as “clear-cut” as they might seem. This defendant, like all criminal defendants, should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Also, I should point out: This indictment should not taint the image of the average police officer. The vast majority of police officers whom I know are honest, hard-working people. But this indictment does make clear: Anyone can be accused of rape.