PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Providence police officer has been arrested and accused of helping a friend with gang affiliations avoid legal trouble.
The R.I. Attorney General and Providence police announced Friday Alexander Caraballo, 30, has been charged with both felonies and misdemeanors for obstructing justice from his fellow officers, as well as district and superior court.
A statewide grand jury indicted the policeman. He pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday, according to court documents. Caraballo declined to comment when reached by phone Friday.
Police allege Caraballo used his position as a policeman to help his friend “with known gang affiliations avoid legal trouble.”
“In doing so, the defendant attempted to interfere with a victim’s pursuit of justice against his friend, and obstructed fellow officers from bringing his friend into custody,” according to a news release from the R.I. Attorney General’s Office.
“When someone commits a crime, whether they are a member of the public or an officer of the law, they must be held accountable,” Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement.