SALEM, Mass. (FOX 25 / MyFoxBoston.com) – A Salem police lieutenant is accused of raping a woman who was babysitting his children.
Salem Police Lt. Matthew Desmond pleaded not guilty to a charge of raping a woman at his arraignment Tuesday in Salem District Court. He was held on $5,000 cash bail.
The incident allegedly happened on June 20 while the woman was at his home watching her own son and his children. She alleges Desmond came home, sat down on the sofa next to her and put his hand up her dress. She allegedly clenched her legs and told him to stop, and claims Desmond told her "stop being a tease."
The woman allegedly pushed Desmond off her, got her son and left. As she was leaving, the woman alleges Desmond told her "next time don't wear any underwear." The woman said he looked "mad" and went into "panic mode" and started saying "don't say anything, don't say anything." The woman later told a friend who spoke with police.
On the way out of court, Desmond told FOX 25's Sharman Sacchetti "talk to my lawyer." He also allegedly told a friend that she had come on to him in the past. His attorney, Thomas Drechsler, told FOX 25 it was the woman who initiated the contact and that there was no rape, "absolutely positively not" and said "the story isnt true."
Attorney Drechsler called the case extremely questionable and said the woman has changed her story several different times and delayed reporting what allegedly happened. He says he fully expects Desmond to be exonerated.
Desmond, who has worked for the Salem Police Department for 15 years, is on paid administrative leave. He is due back in court on August 15.
FOX 25's Sharman Sacchetti will have more on this story tonight on the FOX 25 News at 6 p.m.