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Man Charged With Rape on Ferry Returns to Court June 29

Liz Lerner

The 20-year-old suspect in an alleged rape Monday on the Steamship Authority ferry from Martha’s Vineyard to Woods Hole is set to return to court June 29 for a probable cause hearing.

Bruno Sanches De Jesus, of Dorchester, stands accused of raping an 18-year-old woman.

The alleged victim told authorities Sanches De Jesus raped her inside a delivery truck in transit on the ferry, according to the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s Office.

Sanches De Jesus was arraigned Tuesday in Falmouth District Court, where Judge Paul G. Pino set bail at $25,000.

As of Friday morning, the suspect had not posted bail and was being held at the Barnstable County House of Correction. If he posts bail, he will be subject to GPS monitoring. The judge also ordered him to have no contact with the alleged victim.

According to Massachusetts State Police, the alleged victim reported the incident to the Falmouth Police Department once the ferry docked in Woods Hole.

The man had left the dock as a passenger in a commercial truck. A state trooper from the Bourne barracks stopped the truck heading north on Route 28, where the suspect was arrested.

He faces two counts of rape. A first offense is punishable by up to 20 years in state prison and registration as a sex offender.

Steamship Authority spokesman Sean Driscoll said the authority is aware of the incident and is cooperating with law enforcement.

Jennette Barnes is a reporter and producer. Named a Master Reporter by the New England Society of News Editors, she brings more than 20 years of news experience to CAI.