In advance of the start of the retrial of Barrington Police Sergeant Joseph Andreozzi for obstruction of the judicial system and domestic cyberstalking, Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin announced the defendant pled guilty and resigned from the Barrington Police Department.
Under the terms of the negotiated plea, Andreozzi pled guilty to one count of obstructing a police officer and one count of domestic cyberstalking. He was sentenced to a one year suspended sentence with probation on each count, with the sentences to run consecutively. In addition, the defendant was ordered to undergo domestic violence counseling and have no contact with the victim. In a separate agreement reached between the defendant and the Town of Barrington, the defendant resigned from the Police Department.
"After much consultation with the Courts and the Barrington Police Department, today's plea by Joseph Andreozzi effectively resolves the criminal case and removes any uncertainty with respect to employment status as a police officer. As a police officer, sworn to uphold the law at all times, the defendant had a moral, ethical and legal obligation to conduct himself with the highest standard of integrity, which he failed to do," said Attorney General Kilmartin. "I commend the efforts of the Barrington Police Department, who received the initial complaint about one of their own, as well as the Rhode Island State Police, who conducted the investigation."
Andreozzi was found guilty in July 2013 by a Providence County Superior Court jury of obstruction of justice and domestic cyberstalking. The trial was presided over by Superior Court Justice Susan E. McGuirl.
Assistant Attorney General Stephen Regine and Special Assistant Attorney General Kate Brody prosecuted the case on behalf of the Office of Attorney General.