Judge Richard Savignano ordered him held on $40,000 bail and to stay away from the court, except for court appearances, stay away from and have no contact with the victim, and surrender all firearms, licenses to carry, and ammunition.

Jose F. Martinez, 46, was charged at an arraignment Wednesday in Lawrence District Court with three counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault and battery, the office of Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf.

A state court officer assigned to the Lawrence District Court has been charged with raping a woman while she was shackled on three different occasions.


According to Essex Assistant District Attorney Erin Bellavia, the alleged victim said Martinez raped her on three separate occasions when she appeared in court on various charges in July of 2009. Martinez allegedly brought the woman to areas with limited access in the courthouse and raped her while her legs were shackled.

Martinez began his career in the court system in January 1999 when he was hired as an associate court officer, a job where Martinez and others are issued blue uniform shirts and are often positioned at the courthouse door operating security screens, according to the courts.

He was promoted to a court officer in 2004 and was issued the white uniform shirt worn by court officers to handle security matters inside courtrooms and in prisoner lockups inside the courthouse.

Trial Court Security Director Jeffrey Morrow said in an e-mail that Martinez has been placed on unpaid leave following his arrest, and that the allegations that he sexually abused a woman prisoner may lead to changes in courthouse security policy.

“We will review our policies in light of the facts of this case as they develop to determine if any changes need to be made,’’ he said. “Although it is preferred that officers of the same gender manage and transport prisoners, court officer staffing, assignments, and make-up does not always provide this ability.’’


John R. Ellement can be reached at ellement@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @JREbosglobe.