A Dartmouth police officer accused of child rape has been released on bail following a dangerousness hearing at New Bedford District Court on April 8.

Judge Robert Ovoian ordered Shawn Souza, 38, released on $10,000 cash bail. He has been in jail since his arrest on April 4 after he was ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing.

Souza is facing one count of rape of a child by force and rape of a child-aggravated by age difference, and two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person under 14 years old by a mandated reporter.

At the April 8 dangerousness hearing, Judge Ovoian said that although Souza does face serious charges, he has no prior convictions, before setting bail and several conditions. The prosecution had sought to keep Souza behind bars. 

In addition to the cash bail, the judge ordered Souza to have no contact with the alleged victims and stay away from their residence, school, and place of employment. He will be monitored by GPS and must also abide by a curfew from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. every evening.

Souza’s attorney, Kevin Reddington, said during the hearing that there’s “not a scintilla of evidence” that releasing his client would pose a danger to any member of the public.

He noted that Souza was in the military for 17 years and had fought in Iraq, and that he has the respect of the community.

After the hearing Reddington told reporters that his client denies all of the accusations against him.

He said that Souza was “very angry, and understandably so.”

Souza, a Dartmouth police officer since 2008, was arrested on April 4 following an investigation by the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. The investigation was opened after the Department of Children and Families received a report. The alleged incidents involve two children, and allegedly occurred in Dartmouth.

On April 5, Dartmouth police confirmed he had been placed on paid administrative leave. His department-issued firearm and badge were also seized. A department press release also stated the alleged incidents did not occur while Souza was on duty.

This article has been updated to include statements made by defense attorney Kevin Reddington.