Fairhaven Man Gets 26 Years for Child Sex Crimes

FALL RIVER (WBSM) — A Fairhaven man was sentenced to 26 years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting his daughter and four other teenage girls, with his wife also involved in the acts.

Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn announced today that Shayne Medeiros, 38, was sentenced to 26 years in state prison followed by 10 years of supervised probation after he previously pled guilty to aggravated rape of a child by age difference, assault with intent to rape a child, indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, unnatural acts with a child, dissemination of matter harmful to minors, indecent assault and battery over a person over 14, and providing alcohol/marijuana to a child.

How the Abuse Was Discovered

The case against him began in 2022. In February of that year, Medeiros lived in Fairhaven with his wife Leslie Medeiros and a second woman with whom he was also in a romantic relationship, and several of their children. In May of that year, two girls – 13 and 14 years old – who were friends with one of Medeiros’ minor daughters “made a disclosure,” according to the D.A.’s Office.

The investigation revealed that when the two girls were visiting Medeiros’ daughter at his Fairhaven home, he gave them alcohol and marijuana and touched them indecently. He then showed them nude photos of his wife, and asked them to engage in sex acts with each other while he and his wife also engaged in sex acts in the same room. His wife was present in the room as this was taking place.

The two girls became upset and left Medeiros’ home on foot at 2 a.m. When they got back to one of their homes, the mother called the police. Medeiros was arrested that evening and a search warrant was executed at his home, where police found “items consistent with the disclosure of the victims were recovered,” according to the D.A.’s Office.

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Details of the Investigation

Fairhaven Police and then later New Bedford Police conducted an investigation into Medeiros, and one of his biological daughters disclosed she had been sexually assaulted by him numerous times between the ages of 11 and 13. The assaults included indecent touching and rapes that occurred in both Fairhaven and New Bedford, and during some of which, Medeiros’ wife was present and participated.

Victims Come Forward

A fourth minor female victim reported to police she was sexually assaulted by Medeiros and his wife toward the end of 2019, when she was between 14 and 15 years old and worked as their babysitter. She was given alcohol and marijuana and indecently touched by both Medeiros and his wife, and Medeiros also raped the girl.

A fifth victim, a 16-year-old girl, said Medeiros would send an Uber to bring her to his home, where he provided her with marijuana and then engaged in sex acts with her. Due to her age, Medeiros was only charged with providing marijuana to a minor.

Wife Will Face Sentencing in November

Leslie Medeiros agreed to testify on behalf of the Commonwealth on the charges against her husband and previously pleaded guilty. She will be sentenced in Fall River Superior Court on November 5, 2025.

D.A. Quinn’s Statement

"The sexual abuses committed against the victims by the defendant are despicable and clearly demonstrate a very disturbed mind,” D.A. Quinn said. “Fortunately, the defendant pled guilty which means the victims will not have to testify in this case. The lengthy sentence imposed by the Court is more than deserved.”