Former Dartmouth police officer Shawn Souza was sentenced to 10 to 15 years in state prison for charges of child rape and indecent assault and battery. The sentencing came after a jury convicted him, with evidence showing he raped his young stepdaughter multiple times and molested a 15-year-old girl. Prosecutors had requested 20 to 25 years in prison, but the judge settled on 10 to 15 years with two years of supervised probation. Bristol District Attorney Thomas Quinn III expressed satisfaction with the outcome, acknowledging the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years. Dartmouth Police Chief Brian Levesque condemned Souza’s actions, calling them a betrayal of public trust. The victims, including the stepdaughter, provided impact statements during the trial. Souza’s certification as a police officer was suspended, and the department offered support to the victims and their families. The case had originally resulted in a deadlocked jury in 2022, leading to a second trial where both victims testified. Quinn commended the victims for their perseverance and refusal to be defined by the defendant’s actions. The sentencing marks the end of a troubling chapter for Souza and the Dartmouth Police Department, with authorities keeping a close eye on ensuring justice for the victims.
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