Former Police Officer Pleads Guilty To Charges

WOBURN– Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan has announced that Edward Pomponio, 51, of Milford, has entered a plea of guilty in connection with charges of wanton destruction of evidence and obstruction of justice. A third count of intimidation of a witness was filed without a change of plea for the period of probation. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Thomas Billings has accepted the plea and has continued the case without a finding. Judge Billings sentenced Pomponio to 3 ½ years probation with conditions to include that Pomponio not work again as a police officer, not work for a municipality, and that Pomponio pay a $3,000 fine.

"This guilty plea brings to a close an incident which was a breach of duty,” said District Attorney Ryan. “This individual was a sworn police officer, he knew the procedures to be followed for handling evidence, and he failed to follow them."

Ashland Police Chief Craig Davis added, “We are responsible for holding ourselves accountable in order to maintain the public's trust. We are glad this unfortunate chapter is closed and behind us."

Pomponio served as the Ashland Police Department’s evidence officer in July 2011 and claimed he accidentally discarded evidence seized during a drug arrest. Another police officer who discovered what happened said Pomponio tried to talk him out of reporting the incident.

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Christopher Tarrant.