A former correction officer has been arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a female inmate at MCI-Framingham, according to officials.

Joao Gomes, 49, of Pawtucket, R.I., has been charged with four counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault and battery for multiple incidents involving a female inmate.

He’s also charged with three counts of delivering articles to prisoners in a corrections institution — for allegedly purchasing underwear for more than one inmate.

Gomes has been charged with rape under a statutory provision that was enacted as part of the 2020 police reform law that updated the statute relative to law enforcement engaging in sexual relations with persons under their custody or control.

This is the first case in Middlesex County charged under the updated statute.

Gomes was arrested on Wednesday at his residence in Rhode Island without incident. The case is being investigated by the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Middlesex DA’s Office, and the Massachusetts Department of Correction.

MCI-Framingham is a medium security reception and diagnostic center housing females.