The Fall River Police Department has sanctioned two officers over their mishandling of drug evidence. The case may impact the prosecution of those arrested by those officers on drug charges.
First reported by WPRI TV, allegations arose in February that Detective Joshua Robillard of the department’s Vice and Intelligence Unit was using confiscated drugs to entice information from local informants. An investigation by the State Police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office did not uncover any wrongdoing.
Police spokesman Captain Barden Castro says after the criminal investigation the department conducted an internal investigation and found drugs stored at Detective Robillard’s work area.
Robillard has been given a lengthy suspension without pay and will take on a non-investigatory role upon his return.
Also suspended was Sargent Luis Duarte who was also found to have not followed protocol in securing evidence.
Since his promotion before this incident, Sargent Duarte was assigned as a patrol supervisor in the department’s uniform division and will return to that role following his suspension.
In reporting conducted by WPRI at least a dozen drug cases investigated by Detective Robillard currently before the Bristol County District Attorney’s office and in District Court may be impacted as a result of the incident.
This case has called into question the integrity of the Fall River Police Department. Captain Castro says he is embarrassed by the situation and no one within the department is happy with what took place.
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