Massachusetts School Official Charged in Martha's Vineyard Rape Case
A school security official faces multiple charges after a woman visiting from Ireland alleged she was sexually assaulted inside a State Police barracks.
Edward Brown, 27, a school security official at Boston Latin Academy, has been charged with rape in connection with an alleged assault on Martha's Vineyard. Prosecutors stated that the incident occurred on August 15 within the Massachusetts State Police barracks on the island.
Brown pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment on October 13. He was allegedly a guest at the barracks, visiting a state trooper friend from college. According to Assistant District Attorney Courtney Scalice, the victim, who is from Ireland, met Brown at The Ritz, a bar in Oak Bluffs. She reported that she had been followed by a man at the bar before blacking out, and later awoke naked and distressed outside the barracks.
Responding officers found the woman with bruises on her legs and a red mark on her neck. She told investigators she had been followed by a man, held down, and that she ultimately "ran for her life" out of the building after escaping her alleged assailant.
Prosecutors detailed Brown's alleged shifting accounts of the night. Initially, he denied bringing a female to the barracks. Later, he claimed she had come inside but left on her own, and then stated he left her in an Uber and she never entered the barracks. Text messages presented in court indicated Brown asked his trooper friend, Ryan Costello, if it was okay to bring a woman to the barracks and inquired about condoms.
Costello, who was not present at the time, replied "okay." Brown then allegedly texted, "Beers after I slam." The Uber driver who transported Brown and the victim confirmed picking up a Black male matching Brown's description and a White female, who appeared intoxicated, and driving them to the State Police barracks.
Investigators identified Brown with the help of a bouncer at The Ritz and through information provided by Costello and his attorney. Brown was arrested on October 9 at Boston Latin Academy, where police allegedly found suspected cocaine in his wallet. This arrest followed four police reports filed by two ex-girlfriends alleging harassment between March and August.
The Massachusetts State Police have stated they are cooperating with the investigation and conducting an internal review of their policies. As a result of this case, overnight stays by guests at State Police housing on Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket are no longer permitted.
Brown was released on $10,000 cash bail. His defense attorney stated that Brown denies the allegations and looks forward to presenting his case in court. If convicted, Brown faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and would be required to register as a sex offender. He is due back in court on December 11.