Massachusetts

Lawrence Cop Accused of Child Rape to Appear in Court for Bail Review

Carlos Vieria, 49, is accused of having a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old boy he met on the social media app GRINDR

The Lawrence police officer who was arrested following accusations of child rape is scheduled for a bail review Thursday morning.

Carlos Vieira, 49, is expected to appear in Salem Superior Court for his review, according to the Essex District Attorney's Office. He was arrested Monday in Haverhill following an investigation by the Essex DA's Office.

Vieira was arraigned on Tuesday on two counts of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a child under 14. Prosecutors said he met a 13-year-old boy in the summer of 2018 through a social media app called GRINDR.

The suspect allegedly agreed to meet the child at Mount Vernon Park, where a sex act allegedly took place in a dark SUV. The boy's mother contacted officials to report the encounter.

In Lawrence District Court on Wednesday, prosecutors revealed the suspect owns unregistered guns and said he is a threat to the community. Viera's attorney, Gil Nason, said his client should be free on bail.

However, a judge said Vieira must remain behind bars until at least March 6 when a dangerousness hearing is scheduled. 

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