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Mass. doctor arrested for alleged sexual exploitation of 14-year-old boy

ATTLEBORO, Mass. — A New Bedford doctor has been arrested for the alleged sexual exploitation of an Attleboro boy.

Attleboro Police began investigating in December 2018 after learning that a 14-year-old Attleboro boy had been sexually assaulted.

Police learned that 37-year-old Sujan Kayastha had engaged in lengthy, sexually explicit communications with the juvenile, including the transmission of images of child pornography. Police say Kayastha offered drugs, money, and alcohol to the juvenile and made arrangements to meet with the victim and take him to a hotel in Seekonk "for the purposes of engaging in a sexual encounter."

On Wednesday, police executed search warrants at Kayastha's house, where he was located and arrested. Police say while they were interviewing him, he "made admissions and incriminating statements."

Investigators seized multiple electronic devices which contained child pornography. They also seized suspected narcotics that will now be sent to a crime lab for further analysis.

Kayastha a medical doctor who is employed as a hospitalist at St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford.

Boston 25 News reached out to the hospital for a statement, which reads:

"We are disturbed to learn of the allegations and arrest of Dr. Sujan Kayastha. Dr. Kayastha has immediately been relieved of his duties pending review of this matter. We are unable to comment further at this time."

Kayastha has been charged with possession of child pornography, two counts of disseminating obscene matter two a minor, two counts of electronic enticement of a child for prostitution, and trafficking of a person for sexual servitude.

He was held without bail overnight and was arraigned on Thursday where a judge set his bail at $75,000.