Ex-Stoughton Police Detective Pleads Guilty in Public Corruption Investigation

February 16, 2010 - BOSTON, MA—A recently retired Stoughton police officer pled guilty today to a criminal Information charging him with obstruction of justice and making false statements to the FBI in a public corruption investigation centered on the activities of various members of the Stoughton Police Department.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Warren T. Bamford, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations - Boston Field Division, announced that ANTHONY BICKERTON, age 60, of Stoughton, who resigned from the Stoughton Police Department on September 11, 2009, pled guilty to two felonies charging him with obstruction of justice and making false statements to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The Information alleges that BICKERTON made these false statements and representations during the course of an FBI interview on July 15, 2009, and that BICKERTON endeavored to obstruct justice on September 1, 2009, when he attempted to hide evidence at another officer’s residence in Stoughton, MA.

“Mr. Bickerton’s actions are an affront to the many honest men and women in the law enforcement community who serve the public with dedication and integrity. Today’s plea should be a reminder to the public that we will continue to aggressively pursue all investigations and prosecutions of corrupt and dishonest public officials,” said U.S. Attorney Ortiz.

On the obstruction of justice charge, BICKERTON faces up to 10 years' imprisonment, three years' supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. On the false statements charge, BICKERTON faces up to five years' imprisonment, three years' supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2010 at 2:00 p.m.

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