NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Incident: I24-4189

Incident Date: April 3, 2024

MEDWAY MAN SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON IN CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION

The Medway Police Department is providing an update regarding the prosecution of LUIS RODRIGO LEMA-POMAVILLA, age 25, of Medway, who was arrested in September 2024 following an investigation involving multiple juvenile victims.

As the investigation continued, additional evidence resulted in LEMA-POMAVILLA being indicted by a grand jury and arraigned in Norfolk Superior Court in 2025. Across two Superior Court dockets, he faced 59 criminal charges.

On Thursday, October 1, 2026, LEMA-POMAVILLA pleaded guilty in Norfolk County Superior Court to 49 felony charges:

• Rape of a Child with Force, 2 counts
• Rape and Abuse of a Child, 13 counts
• Posing or Exhibiting a Child in Sexual Conduct, 15 counts
• Posing or Exhibiting a Child in a State of Nudity, 14 counts
• Possession of Child Pornography, 3 counts
• Enticement of a Child Under 16, 1 count
• Extortion by Means of Threat of Injury, 1 count

Under Massachusetts law, posing or exhibiting charges address conduct in which a person causes or encourages a child to pose nude or participate in sexual conduct for the purpose of creating visual material. This differs from possession of child pornography, which concerns knowingly possessing such material. Posing or exhibiting charges therefore reflect involvement in creating the material, rather than possession alone.

The remaining charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement, a common component of negotiated criminal case resolutions.

LEMA-POMAVILLA was sentenced to 12 to 13 years in state prison. Upon his release, he will be placed on probation for two years with GPS monitoring and orders prohibiting any contact with the victims. He will also be required to register as a sex offender and provide a DNA sample for inclusion in the Massachusetts DNA database.

The resolution of this case followed extensive preparation by the Medway Police Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. An interview with one victim, along with physical and digital evidence, was critical to establishing the scope of the offenses. Additional victims were identified through digital evidence, with assistance from Milford Police Department School Resource Officers, and through reports filed with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families. This evidence ultimately supported guilty findings on 49 felony counts.

“Our priority throughout this case was to hold the defendant accountable while minimizing further trauma to the victims,” Chief William Kingsbury said. “This agreement secured convictions on 49 felony charges without requiring these children to testify at trial. Their well-being had to remain central to the resolution.”

The Medway Police Department worked closely with the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office and provided input throughout the plea and sentencing process. The Department expressed its belief that a longer period of incarceration would have provided a greater measure of protection for the victims and reduced the risk of future victimization. Plea agreements require consideration of the available evidence, the impact on victims, public safety interests, and the potential effects of a trial. The Department’s input was one part of that broader process, and the court ultimately determines whether to accept an agreement and impose the sentence.

The Department sincerely recognizes the courage of the victims and their families throughout this lengthy investigation and prosecution. We extend our continued support and wish them strength as they continue their healing journeys.

The Department recognizes Detective Sergeant Lauren Swarthout and Detectives Thomas Godino and Christopher Bullen for their extensive work on this investigation, as well as the patrol officers who assisted throughout the case. Investigations involving child sexual abuse and the creation of child sexual abuse material require personnel to review deeply disturbing evidence and can carry a significant mental and emotional toll. We commend the professionalism, care, and resilience everyone involved demonstrated.

We also thank the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office for its work in prosecuting this matter, the Milford Police Department School Resource Officers for helping identify additional victims, and the Millis Police Department for its assistance during the investigation.

Out of respect for the victims’ privacy and because they are juveniles, no additional details regarding their identities or the underlying circumstances will be released.

Prepared by: Chief William Kingsbury

Release date: October 6, 2026