A former MBTA transit officer is accused of attacking a homeless man, and two of his superiors are accused of covering it up.
A former MBTA police officer who allegedly beat a homeless man and two sergeants accused of helping him cover it up have been indicted, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins.
Based on an investigation, indictments charge former Transit Police Officer Dorston Bartlett, 65, of Lynn, with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and violating a person's civil rights for allegedly using his baton to strike a 32-year-old homeless man multiple times at Ashmont station in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood July 27, 2018.
Authorities said Bartlett is also charged with misleading a police officer for allegedly giving false statements to two Boston Police officers who later responded to the scene, as well as assault and battery for allegedly grabbing and pushing the victim during the booking process.
Additional indictments were returned charging, Sergeant David Finnerty, 43, of Rutland and Sergeant Kenny Orcel, 55, of Chelmsford, with making a false report as a public officer or employee.
"The conduct alleged in these indictments is unacceptable at every level," said Rollins. "Actions like these undermine the hard work of countless honest, professional police officers and seriously erode trust in law enforcement. Crimes against public integrity are some of the most important that my office can bring on behalf of victims and our community, and I take them extremely seriously."
Bartlett, Finnerty, and Orcel are expected to be arraigned on March 27. It's unclear if they have attorneys.
