Massachusetts Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog

A state trooper is facing charges in Wrentham District Court after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend and retrieving a loaded handgun when police were called to his home, the Sun Chronicle reported.

A Quincy criminal defense attorney should be called to represent anyone facing Massachusetts domestic violence or assault charges. Such charges can be particularly devastating to law enforcement or military personnel, who can face job loss and the inability to carry a firearm if convicted.

The 28-year-old trooper is currently assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney's Office that investigates homicides. He pleaded not guilty in Wrentham District Court to assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon and domestic assault and battery.

He has been released on a $5,000 cash bail on conditions that he stay away from his girlfriend, abstain from drinking alcohol and submit to random alcohol testing.

The altercation reportedly occurred during a fight over child-rearing. The trooper's weapons, including a .40-caliber service weapon and a personal .40-caliber handgun, were seized by police as well as ammunition, his license to carry a firearm and other departmental property.

He was granted permission to travel to an alcohol treatment center in Florida, according to court records. He faces a hearing this week regarding his job status. The judge reported that the trooper had been previously accused by his girlfriend of domestic assault but had not been charged.

Court records indicate the trooper armed himself with a loaded weapon when he knew police were en route but was arrested without incident about 1:20 a.m. at his North Street home.

Police say the trooper had consumed at least six beers when he assaulted the woman with the leg of a baby swing and tried to choke her. He is due back in court May 7.