Salem Police Lieutenant Charged With Rape

Salem Police Lt. Matthew Desmond, 41, of Salem, was arraigned Tuesday morning in Salem District Court on one count of rape.

Desmond turned himself in to this morning, according to the Essex County District Attorney's office.

According to Essex Assistant District Attorney Kate MacDougall, Desmond allegedly digitally raped a woman known to him in his home on June 20. The alleged victim was watching the defendant’s children, her own children and the children of a mutual friend as they used the defendant’s pool.

Upon notification of the incident by the alleged victim, the Salem Police Department conducted a full investigation with the cooperation and assistance of the Essex District Attorney’s Office. 

“The Salem Police Department takes any allegation against a member of the department very seriously,” Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker said in a press release from the DA's office. “Lt. Desmond has been placed on administrative leave and the matter will now move forward in the court system.”

Desmond is represented by Attorney Thomas Drechsler. Judge Allen Swan ordered that Desmond be held on $5,000 cash bail, have no contact with the alleged victim and issued a bail warning. 

He is scheduled to appear in court on August 15.