Former Somerset police officer Ricardo Pavao was arraigned Wednesday in New Bedford District Court on allegations that he unlawfully collected expired prescription drugs from elderly residents.
Pavao, 33, of Somerset, was previously arraigned in Fall River District Court, but his case was transferred to New Bedford, a routine move when law enforcement officials are charged with crimes in their own jurisdiction.
Pavao, a former 10-year veteran of the Somerset Police Department, allegedly knocked on residents’ doors at North Farm Senior Estates in Somersest, while on duty, on Jan. 27 and collected their prescription drugs without notifying a supervisor about his actions.
Pavao allegedly told the residents he was checking on their emergency information and questioned some whether they possessed firearms or had a vicious dog on the premises.
In a taped interview, Pavao allegedly admitted to soliciting emergency information from the residents at the housing complex and collecting three expired prescription bottles from a resident.
Pavao said he was trying to “show some initiative” because of poor work reviews over the past few years, but said he threw the drugs in the trash at home to avoid writing a report.
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