Topline: He was arrested on Friday as part of an undercover operation conducted by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police.
Published: April 8, 2025 7:00 am ET
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Mitchell Walsh in court on Monday. (via WPRI)
FALL RIVER, MA — A Massachusetts police officer is facing charges for soliciting a minor for sex.
According to WPRI, Fall River Police Officer Mitchell Walsh, 28, is charged with enticement of a child under 16, sexual conduct for a fee with a child, attempted rape of a child, and drug possession.
He was arrested on Friday as part of an undercover operation conducted by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police.
Authorities say the sting targeted sexual exploitation in neighborhoods near a gaming facility.
WPRI reported that Walsh communicated with an undercover officer, who posed as a 15-year-old girl, for six weeks after a decoy ad was placed on a website “commonly used by individuals who are trafficked and by individuals who want to purchase sex from these victims,” prosecutors said.
Walsh allegedly texted the decoy, “Let’s do this tonight,” “You free tonight?” and “Do you like party at all?”
He’s also accused of agreeing to pay $200 for sex.
Authorities then set up a trap for Walsh as he arrived at the prearranged meeting spot in a gray pickup truck. Officers swarmed him and took him into custody.
Police subsequently discovered a medium-sized plastic bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine in the center console, along with two more bags in Walsh’s wallet, an empty pen containing suspected cocaine, a vodka bottle, and a pack of nips.
Walsh entered a not guilty plea on Monday, and was released on $5,000 bail with the following conditions:
- Stay away from all children under 18
- Stay out of Charlestown except for court appearances
- Surrender his passport
- Undergo a substance use evaluation through the probation department
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan spoke with WPRI and said the charges are “very upsetting.”
“It’s not condoned, looked on in any way, shape or form other than something that’s got to be dealt with very, very quickly,” Coogan said. “We’ve got to do our best to get people like this out of the police department.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Police Officer Charged with Soliciting Minor for Sex in Undercover Sting
He was arrested on Friday as part of an undercover operation conducted by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 8, 2025 7:00 am ET
Mitchell Walsh in court on Monday. (via WPRI)
FALL RIVER, MA — A Massachusetts police officer is facing charges for soliciting a minor for sex.
According to WPRI, Fall River Police Officer Mitchell Walsh, 28, is charged with enticement of a child under 16, sexual conduct for a fee with a child, attempted rape of a child, and drug possession.
He was arrested on Friday as part of an undercover operation conducted by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police.
Authorities say the sting targeted sexual exploitation in neighborhoods near a gaming facility.
WPRI reported that Walsh communicated with an undercover officer, who posed as a 15-year-old girl, for six weeks after a decoy ad was placed on a website “commonly used by individuals who are trafficked and by individuals who want to purchase sex from these victims,” prosecutors said.
Walsh allegedly texted the decoy, “Let’s do this tonight,” “You free tonight?” and “Do you like party at all?”
He’s also accused of agreeing to pay $200 for sex.
Authorities then set up a trap for Walsh as he arrived at the prearranged meeting spot in a gray pickup truck. Officers swarmed him and took him into custody.
Police subsequently discovered a medium-sized plastic bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine in the center console, along with two more bags in Walsh’s wallet, an empty pen containing suspected cocaine, a vodka bottle, and a pack of nips.
Walsh entered a not guilty plea on Monday, and was released on $5,000 bail with the following conditions:
- Stay away from all children under 18
- Stay out of Charlestown except for court appearances
- Surrender his passport
- Undergo a substance use evaluation through the probation department
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan spoke with WPRI and said the charges are “very upsetting.”
“It’s not condoned, looked on in any way, shape or form other than something that’s got to be dealt with very, very quickly,” Coogan said. “We’ve got to do our best to get people like this out of the police department.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Police Officer Charged with Soliciting Minor for Sex in Undercover Sting
He was arrested on Friday as part of an undercover operation conducted by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police.
By Jacob Charles
Published: April 8, 2025 7:00 am ET
Mitchell Walsh in court on Monday. (via WPRI)
FALL RIVER, MA — A Massachusetts police officer is facing charges for soliciting a minor for sex.
According to WPRI, Fall River Police Officer Mitchell Walsh, 28, is charged with enticement of a child under 16, sexual conduct for a fee with a child, attempted rape of a child, and drug possession.
He was arrested on Friday as part of an undercover operation conducted by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police.
Authorities say the sting targeted sexual exploitation in neighborhoods near a gaming facility.
WPRI reported that Walsh communicated with an undercover officer, who posed as a 15-year-old girl, for six weeks after a decoy ad was placed on a website “commonly used by individuals who are trafficked and by individuals who want to purchase sex from these victims,” prosecutors said.
Walsh allegedly texted the decoy, “Let’s do this tonight,” “You free tonight?” and “Do you like party at all?”
He’s also accused of agreeing to pay $200 for sex.
Authorities then set up a trap for Walsh as he arrived at the prearranged meeting spot in a gray pickup truck. Officers swarmed him and took him into custody.
Police subsequently discovered a medium-sized plastic bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine in the center console, along with two more bags in Walsh’s wallet, an empty pen containing suspected cocaine, a vodka bottle, and a pack of nips.
Walsh entered a not guilty plea on Monday, and was released on $5,000 bail with the following conditions:
- Stay away from all children under 18
- Stay out of Charlestown except for court appearances
- Surrender his passport
- Undergo a substance use evaluation through the probation department
Fall River Mayor Paul Coogan spoke with WPRI and said the charges are “very upsetting.”
“It’s not condoned, looked on in any way, shape or form other than something that’s got to be dealt with very, very quickly,” Coogan said. “We’ve got to do our best to get people like this out of the police department.”
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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