Fall River Police Officer Arrested in Boston in Child Sex Sting

BOSTON (WBSM) — A Fall River police officer has been arrested by the Boston Police Human Trafficking Unit for allegedly attempting to pay for sex from and attempting to provide drugs and alcohol to a 15-year-old child who was actually an undercover officer.

According to Fall River Police, Officer Mitchell Walsh “was taken into custody as part of a sting operation related to an ongoing investigation.” The sting was “a proactive operation addressing sexual exploitations in the neighborhoods adjacent to a gaming facility,” according to a report provided by Boston Police.

The Boston Police report states that on Friday, April 4 at about 10:40 p.m., an undercover officer was contacted via cell phone in response to an ad that had been posted on a website used by trafficked individuals and those who want to purchase sex from them.

Walsh Had Allegedly Been Texting With the "Child" for Six Weeks

Boston Police said the suspect – later identified as Walsh, 28 – arrived in a gray Dodge Ram 150 and began texting with the undercover officer, who he believed was a 15-year-old child; the two had been texting for the past six weeks, police said.

During this time, Walsh allegedly made several phone calls via Facetime and “discussed bringing cocaine, a bottle of Tito’s vodka and nips” while made references to having sexual intercourse.

Police then approached Walsh in his truck and placed him under arrest. According to the report, a “medium-sized plastic bag containing a white powdery substance believed to be cocaine” was found in the center console, and two plastic bags and an empty pen all containing suspected cocaine were also allegedly found in his wallet.

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Police also said a bottle of Tito’s vodka “fell out of the backseat of the vehicle as investigators opened the rear door, subsequently shattering to the ground.” They also said they found “a pack of McGillicuddy’s nips” in the center console.

Walsh was charged with one count of enticement of a child under 16, sexual conduct for a fee with a child, attempted rape of a child and possession with intent to distribute a Class B drug (cocaine).

Walsh Was on Leave From the Fall River Police Department

Fall River Police said that at the time of his arrest, Walsh “was on extended leave from the Fall River Police Department due to unrelated personnel matters.” They said the department had already been “preparing to initiate formal proceedings under the civil service disciplinary process” and that “his employment status is now under further review” due to the new charges.

He had been a police officer in Fall River since August 2021, according to a Fall River Police Facebook post:

Boston Police said the incident remains under investigation by the Human Trafficking Unit. Fall River Police said no further details were being released as the investigation is ongoing.