Grand Jury Indicts Federal Agent in Sexual Assault

BOSTON, March 7, 2018—The Suffolk County Grand Jury today returned indictments charging an agent assigned to the Boston office of the Internal Revenue Service with rape and other offenses stemming from alleged assaults on a college student last summer, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

The indictments charge JAMES CLARKE, 44, with aggravated rape, rape, indecent assault and battery, strangulation, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for an incident on the evening of July 26, 2017, when Clarke allegedly invited the victim for drinks after work and then offered to drive her to South Station to catch a train.

The indictments allege that Clarke handcuffed the 21-year-old victim while parked in his IRS-owned vehicle in the Government Center garage, assaulted her with his service firearm, and subjected her to sexual acts against her will. One additional assaultive act occurred in the car outside South Station after Clarke had driven the victim there. She called police immediately afterward and was treated at a hospital.

The indictments follow a joint investigation by the Sexual Assault Units of the Boston Police Department and Suffolk DA’s office that included multiple interviews, forensic testing, review of medical records, and an exhaustive grand jury presentation.

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.

Clarke is represented by attorney Michael Doolin. He is expected to face arraignment on April 5.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.