Lawrence police officer is charged with aggravated rape of 13-year-old

Lawrence police officer Carlos Vieira is held without bail after his arraignment on child rape charges in Lawrence District Court.Amanda Sabga/Pool/Pool

A Lawrence police officer has been charged with raping a 13-year-old boy, the Essex County District Attorney’s office said Monday.

Carlos Vieira, 49, of Lawrence, who was arrested in Haverhill, faces two counts of aggravated rape of a child and two counts of indecent assault and battery of a child under 14, prosecutors said.

Officials began an investigation in January when the victim’s mother contacted the district attorney’s office. The mother said that her son, who was 13 at the time, had allegedly met Vieira in the summer of 2018 through a social media app and had engaged in sexual activity with him.

Vieira, a Lawrence police officer since 1999, was placed on administrative leave as soon as department officials were notified of his arrest, said Lawrence Police Chief Roy Vasque.

“This is an ongoing investigation, but the allegations against Officer Vieira are extremely troubling, and we take them very seriously,” Vasque said in a statement.

Vieira will be arraigned in Lawrence District Court on Tuesday.