Lawrence court officer alleged to have raped shackled inmate faces another charge

The Lawrence court officer who authorities allege raped a shackled female inmate three times in a courthouse is facing new allegations he intimidated a witness and tried to have evidence destroyed.

Jose Martinez, 46, of 21 Amherst St., Lawrence, is back in court today to be arraigned on a witness intimidation charge. Police arrested him without incident at his home Tuesday night.

Authorities allege he tried to destroy evidence sought by police in the open case against him.

Martinez was released on $40,000 bail following his arraignment on rape and indecent assault and battery charges a week ago.

Prosecutors allege Martinez raped the victim when she was appearing in Lawrence District Court for various charges in July 2009 and in September and October of last year.

The Essex County District Attorney’s office said the victim told a New Hampshire prison worker about the alleged rapes last year. That revelation triggered an investigation by Massachusetts State Police. Last week, Martinez was arraigned on three counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault and battery.