Former Stoughton Police Officer Sentenced for Obstruction of Justice and Making False Statements

BOSTON, MA—A former Stoughton police officer who recently pleaded guilty in federal court was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison and two years’ supervised release.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, announced that ANTHONY BICKERTON, 60, of Stoughton, who has resigned from the Stoughton Police Department and the Stoughton School Committee, was sentenced after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice and making false statements and representations to the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding an ongoing public corruption investigation. BICKERTON made these false statements and representations during the course of an interview on July 15, 2009 and subsequently, in September of 2009, BICKERTON attempted to hide evidence at a friend’s residence, an intent to obstruct a federal investigation.

U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz stated, “Police misconduct erodes public confidence and trust in law enforcement. Mr. Bickerton’s egregious actions are an affront to the decent and honest officers of the Stoughton Police Department, who serve the public’s interest and do their jobs with dedication and integrity. This sentence should send a strong message that we take very seriously any law enforcement officer who violates the very laws they are charged with serving and protecting.”

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian T. Kelly, Chief of Ortiz’s Police Corruption Unit.