Lowell Police Officer Aravanh Lakmany Arraigned On Rape And Solicitation Of Prostitutes Charges

LOWELL– A Lowell police officer has been arraigned on charges that he allegedly raped two prostitutes as well as solicited prostitution from others while he was on-duty, Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone informed the public today.

Aravanh Lakmany, 31, of Dracut, was arraigned today in Lowell Superior Court on charges of extortion, rape (3 counts), and solicitation of prostitutes (3 counts). Middlesex Superior Court Clerk Magistrate Michael Sullivan released the defendant on personal recognizance.

His next court date is August 30 for a pretrial conference.

According to authorities, the defendant is a Lowell police officer and worked between the hours of 12:30 am and 8:30 am. The defendant is alleged to have solicited several prostitutes during his shift, beginning in 2009. The defendant would allegedly approach the women, ask them to get into the backseat of his cruiser or personal vehicle and would drive them to an isolated area where they would engage in sexual conduct.

The first victim was initially approached by the defendant while he was driving his personal vehicle. The defendant is alleged to have identified himself as a police officer and showed the victim his badge. The defendant is then alleged to have told the victim that he was aware of her criminal history and that he knew she was currently wanted on outstanding warrants. The defendant allegedly told the victim that he would not arrest her if she did what he said to do. It is alleged that the defendant then raped the victim.

The next time the first victim saw the defendant, he was in uniform in Lowell. The defendant is alleged to have ordered the victim to meet him at a specific location where he raped the victim a second time.

A second victim met the defendant while he was on patrol in his cruiser. The defendant is alleged to have told the victim that he was aware of who she was and asked if she wanted a ride home. The victim agreed to have the defendant drive her home, but when she entered the vehicle, the defendant is alleged to have asked the victim for sexual favors. The victim denied the defendant’s request and asked if he would let her out of the vehicle. The defendant refused to stop to let the victim out and continued driving. The defendant is alleged to have driven to an isolated area where he raped the victim.

The defendant was indicted by a Middlesex County Grand Jury on June 23.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Tom O’Reilly. The Victim Witness Advocate is Dora Quiroz.

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