‘A very disturbed mind’: Fairhaven man sentenced in child sexual assault case
FALL RIVER, Mass. (WLNE) — A Fairhaven man was sentenced Monday to state prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges including aggravated rape of a child by age difference and indecent assault and battery under 14.
According to Bristol County Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Sowa, Shayne Medeiros, 38, will serve 26 years followed by ten years of supervised probation after being convicted of:
- Aggravated rape of a child by age difference
- Assault with intent to rape a child
- Indecent assault and battery under 14
- Unnatural acts with a child
- Dissemination of matter harmful to minors
- Indecent assault and battery over 14
- Providing alcohol/marijuana to a child
The investigation into Medeiros began in May of 2022 after accusations were made by two minor females ages 13 and 14.
According to the investigation by Fairhaven police, the minor females visited Medeiros’ minor daughter at his Fairhaven home.
Medeiros provided alcohol and marijuana to the two minor females and touched them indecently.
He then showed the victims nude photos of his wife and asked them to engage in sex acts with each other while he and his wife engaged in sex acts in the same room.
The defendant’s wife, Leslie Medeiros, was in the room as this took place, according to Deputy DA Sowa.
The two victims fled the home at 2 a.m. on foot, and the mother of one victim called police about the incident.
Shayne Medeiros was arrested that night and a search warrant was obtained and executed on his residence.
The search resulted in the discovery of items consistent with the victims’ accounts.
Further investigation into the defendant by Fairhaven and New Bedford police revealed that one of Shayne Medeiros’ biological daughters was sexually assaulted by the defendant.
The multiple incidents occurred when the victim was between the ages of 11 and 13.
These incidents included instances of indecent touching and rape in both Fairhaven and New Bedford.
The investigation also revealed that Leslie Medeiros was present at and/or participated in some of the incidents.
A fourth minor female victim who came to the home to babysit one of the couple’s children told police she was provided alcohol and marijuana and was indecently touched by both Shayne and Leslie Medeiros.
This victim also reported that she was raped by Shayne Medeiros.
The fourth victim was sexually assaulted by Shayne and Leslie Medeiros at the end of 2019 when she was between 14 and 15 years old.
A fifth female victim indicated that Shayne Medeiros would arrange Uber rides to bring her to his residence.
Shayne Medeiros provided this 16-year-old victim with marijuana and engaged in sex acts with her.
Due to the victim’s age, Shayne Medeiros was only charged with providing marijuana to a minor.
Leslie Medeiros testified on behalf of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and pled guilty.
Her sentencing will take place at Fall River Superior Court on November 5.
Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said in the statement:
“The sexual abuse committed against the victims by the defendant are despicable and clearly demonstrate a very disturbed mind. Fortunately, the defendant pled guilty which means the victims will not have to testify in this case. The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court is more than deserved.”
