Retired Massachusetts police officer arrested on several charges including impersonating a police officer and intimidating a witness

TOWNSEND – Police Chief James Sartell reports that the Townsend Police Department has arrested and charged a retired police officer with accosting a woman at a business in town, and then impersonating a police officer in an attempt to prevent the woman from reporting the incident.

On Wednesday, June 15, the Townsend Police Department received a report from an employee at a business in town that 60-year-old Thaddeus Rochette allegedly made numerous statements that were sexually inappropriate and offered the woman cash in exchange for sexual acts during a conversation inside the business. Rochette also claimed to be a Townsend Police Officer and threatened the woman with legal ramifications if she reported the incident and his behavior.

Immediately upon receiving the report, Townsend Police began an investigation, which led to investigators obtaining an arrest warrant for Rochette from Ayer District Court.

Rochette was arrested on a warrant and charged with Witness Intimidation, Accosting and Annoying, Impersonating a Police Officer, and Sexual Conduct for a Fee.

Rochette was taken into custody on Friday, June 17. Rochette was ordered held on $1,000 cash bail pending arraignment Tuesday in Ayer District Court.