Shawn Souza. (Dartmouth Police Department)
DARTMOUTH, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A Dartmouth Police Officer is facing charges related to an alleged rape of a child—and an alleged indecent assault of another child.
Shawn Souza, 37, was arrested by Massachusetts State Police Thursday at the Dartmouth Police Station. He was arraigned Friday morning in New Bedford District Court and ordered held without bail.
He's charged with rape of a child by force, rape of a child aggravated by age difference, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 years old by a mandated reporter.
The Bristol County District Attorney's Office said all the incidents were alleged to have occurred in Dartmouth; Dartmouth Police said the alleged incidents did not happen while he was on duty.
Souza joined the department in October 2008.
He has been placed on administrative leave by the department, and his gun and badge have been seized.
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