Fall River, Mass. — A Fall River Police Department officer has been arrested as part of a human trafficking sting operation conducted by the Boston Police Department’s Human Trafficking Unit.
Officer Mitchell Walsh, 28, was taken into custody following an undercover investigation in which he allegedly attempted to solicit sexual conduct from an individual posing as a 15-year-old child. The sting operation began after an ad was placed on a website commonly used by individuals engaged in human trafficking.
According to the Boston Police Department, Walsh made contact with the undercover officer, discussing plans to bring cocaine, vodka, and small alcohol bottles to meet the supposed child. When officers approached Walsh’s vehicle, they discovered what appeared to be cocaine, along with the alcohol bottles and the vodka he mentioned.
Walsh was arrested and charged with enticement of a child under 16, sexual conduct for a fee with a child, attempted rape of a child, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. At the time of his arrest, Walsh was on leave from the Fall River Police Department due to unrelated personnel matters.
The department’s social media post confirmed that Walsh’s employment status is under review, with formal proceedings already in progress for unrelated issues before the sting operation occurred. “His employment status is now under further review in light of these serious new developments,” the department stated.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to be released as more information becomes available.
