Christopher Shramko, 52, pleaded not guilty to 3 counts of rape of a child with force and 1 count of child rape aggravated by age difference. Judge Patricia Dowling ordered him held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing scheduled for November 7th. She also ordered that the defendant stay away from and have no contact with the victim.
Groveland Police arrested the defendant last night at his home after being contacted by a mandated reporter to whom the victim disclosed the allegations. The victim, who is known to the defendant, alleges that the defendant raped her multiple times on one date several years ago.
No further information about the victim, including her age, is being released in order to protect her identity. Judge Dowling allowed Essex Assistant District Attorney Stephen LaMonica’s motion to impound the police reports to protect the integrity of the investigation.
“While these allegations are deeply troubling, we do not believe that there was a threat to the public at large,” Groveland Police Chief Jeff Gillen said.
The defendant was represented by Attorney James Carney for bail purposes only and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.