Federal Agent Convicted of Rape, Sentenced to State Prison

BOSTON, January 7, 2020 — An Internal Revenue Service agent was sentenced to seven to eight years in state prison today after he was convicted of raping a college intern from his office, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said today.

“Today, the survivor in this case had the opportunity to see her attacker held accountable, handcuffed the way that he handcuffed her, and sent away to prison for his horrific actions,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “She also saw the dedicated members of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office and the Boston Police Department at her and her family’s side through this trial, and we will continue to provide whatever services she may continue to need.”

JAMES CLARKE, 46, was sentenced to seven to eight years in prison and 10 years of probation today.  A Suffolk Superior Court jury deliberated for only a matter of hours before finding the defendant guilty of two counts of aggravated rape and one count each of rape, indecent assault and battery, strangulation, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on December 19, 2019.

Assistant District Attorney Ian Polumbaum, Chief of District Attorney Rollins’ Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Unit, proved during the course of a weeklong trial that, on the evening of July 26, 2017, the defendant invited a student intern at the Boston IRS office for after-work drinks and insisted on driving her to South Station to catch a train. 

Inside the defendant’s IRS-issued vehicle at the Government Center parking garage, he placed the victim in handcuffs, put his IRS-issued service weapon in her mouth, and raped her.  After driving her to South Station, he sexually assaulted the victim again. 

After exiting the vehicle, the victim called a friend to disclose the sexual assault.  She then called 911.  The pursuant investigation by the Boston Police Sexual Assault Unit and Suffolk prosecutors led to the discovery of the victim’s DNA on the defendant’s IRS-issued firearm.

Before Suffolk Superior Court Judge Mitchell Kaplan imposed the defendant’s sentence, the victim delivered an impact statement describing how the assault changed her life.

“I’ll never truly know whether that gun he forced into my mouth was loaded but the thought that it might have been, the thought that at any moment had he accidentally hit the trigger while it was in my mouth, reminds me each day how thankful I am to be alive and to be here. He took advantage of what he didn’t know then but should see now is an incredibly strong woman,” she told the court.

“Sexual assault is about power and control.  This defendant used every tool available to him – his position as the victim’s supervisor at the IRS, his status as a member of federal law enforcement, and the government-issued vehicle, firearm, and handcuffs that he had at his disposal – to exert his power, will, and control over and rape this victim,” District Attorney Rollins said.  “I am in awe of the strength and courage that she has shown at every step, and I’m grateful for her bravery and willingness to come forward and to hold her attacker accountable. 

“Women are the only group that is not protected under our hate crime laws.  Gender-based and sexual violence are among the most serious offenses that we encounter as prosecutors, and women are targeted for these crimes almost exclusively.  Women have the right to enjoy a night out without concern that they won’t make it home, to be safe from harm if they decide to have drinks at a bar, and to work in any field without the risk of harassment or harm.  Today’s sentencing is a reminder of the risks that many women still unfortunately face in their daily lives, but also of the work that we do each and every day to protect every member of our community.  As I have said before, we need to teach our young men and communities about consent.”

Sexual assault can happen to anyone. While the victims of any crime are asked to call 911 in an emergency, survivors of sexual violence can also call their local rape crisis center for free and confidential services and to discuss their options. Support is available for all survivors of sexual violence, regardless of whether they wish to take part in a criminal prosecution. Services by city and town can be found at www.janedoe.org/find_help/search.

In Suffolk County, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center offers a free and confidential 24-hour hotline at 800-841-8371. The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center provides medical accompaniment and many other free services to victims of rape and sexual assault. Suffolk victim-witness advocates can assist in referrals to BARCC and a wide array of non-profit service providers who can offer additional support and services.

Anne Kelley-McCarthy and Kate Lagana are the Victim Witness Advocates assigned to this case.  The defendant was represented by attorney Robert Sheketoff.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.