dpThe man charged with the Aug. 15 rape is Edward J. Brown, assistant director of security for Boston Public Schools. Brown told investigators he was staying at the barracks with a friend who is a trooper during the weekend of the alleged assault.
The barracks serve as housing for troopers assigned to Martha’s Vineyard.
The State Police Association of Massachusetts, the union that represent troopers, could not be reached for comment Thursday night.
The alleged assault occurred in temporary housing for troopers assigned to the island for the summer season that is “in a structure separate and apart from the barracks,” a State Police spokesperson said.
Along with prohibiting overnight guests, State Police Superintendent Colonel Geoffrey Noble has ordered that visitors to non-public areas of the barracks must get written approval from the barracks commander and must be accompanied at all times, the spokesperson said.
A naked woman was walking down a street near the barracks on Temahigan Avenue screaming for help just before 1 a.m. when a passing driver and a trooper came to her aid, the Globe reported.
She had bruises on her legs and a red mark around her neck.
Brown, 27, was arrested Oct. 9 at Boston Latin Academy in Boston. He pleaded not guilty to rape at his arraignment in Edgartown District Court. He is free on $10,000 bail.
According to prosecutors, Brown and the woman, who is from Ireland, met the night of Aug. 15 at the Ritz Cafe. They took an Uber to the barracks. The woman was visibly intoxicated, Brown was not.
The woman told investigators she awoke in an unfamiliar place. As she tried to get up, Brown allegedly held her by the neck and raped her while “she was kicking and screaming,” prosecutors have said.
She made her getaway when she asked Brown to bring her water, prosecutors said.
In a statement Thursday, Noble said he found the allegations “deeply troubling.”
“The Massachusetts State Police are fully cooperating with the ongoing criminal investigation and conducting an internal review of applicable policies, visitor authorization procedures, and compliance with established requirements,” Noble’s statement said.
“I am committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and accountability at all State Police facilities and ensuring that any identified deficiencies are addressed with appropriate corrective action,” Noble said.
Tonya Alanez can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @talanez.
