Ashland police officer indicted for obstruction of justice, destroying evidence

WOBURN, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) -- An Ashland Police Officer was indicted Friday in connection with the destruction of evidence and his conduct after that, according to a press release from the Middlesex District Attorney's office.

Edward Pomponio, 50, was indicted on charges of wanton destruction of evidence and obstruction of justice (two counts) Friday. His arraignment date has not been set yet.

Pomponio served as an evidence officer in July of 2011 and allegedly threw out key evidence in an open and active criminal drug case. The case had to be dismissed given the lack of evidence. After that, he allegedly tried to keep another officer, who was working the case, from reporting the evidence tampering.

"With these charges, we allege that this defendant, a police officer, discarded key drug evidence in a pending criminal case and then tried to intimidate another officer from reporting it," District Attorney Marian Ryan said in the release. "These are troubling allegations that reflect a violation of the public trust placed in all law enforcement officials."

Cox Media Group