Fired Massachusetts police officer indicted on charges he mislead police investigation

A former Brockton Police officer has been indicted on charges that he misled a police investigation when he falsely claimed he performed cell checks on a prisoner, and then created a false police report, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

A Plymouth County Grand Jury returned indictments charging Anthony Louis, 40, of Brockton, with two counts each of Misleading a Police Investigation and Creating a False Police Report.

On November 13, 2020 at approximately 10:30 p.m., Brockton Police observed a minor traffic accident at Highland Street and Goddard Road, involving a white minivan, being operated by Afonso Brandao, 27. Brandao was placed under arrest and charged with Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License, Disorderly Conduct and Disturbing the Peace. He was transported to the Brockton Police station, booked, searched, and placed in a holding cell. At approximately 3:45 a.m., Brandao was found unresponsive as police performed a routine cell check, and medical aid was immediately rendered. Emergency medical personnel responded and pronounced Brandao dead on scene.

Brockton Police contacted Massachusetts State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office which led to the beginning of the investigation. According to the DA, Detectives conducted numerous interviews and reviewed video surveillance as part of their extensive investigation. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner took jurisdiction and determined that Brandao’s death was caused by “accidental overdose.”

As a result of the investigation, the indictments allege that Louis, working as a police officer for the City of Brockton, submitted an additional narrative to the official report for the case, noting that he failed to perform each required cell checks.

The indictments further allege that Louis falsely reported to several Massachusetts State Police Troopers that he regularly performed cell checks as required, and observed no issues, problems, or abnormalities with Brandao.

Louis has been terminated as an officer with the Brockton Police Department. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Brockton Superior Court at a later date.