Providence policeman accused of helping friend with gang affiliation

by: Eli Sherman, Tim White

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Providence police officer has been arrested and accused of helping a friend with gang affiliations avoid legal trouble.

ORIGINAL NOTE: https://www.wpri.com/target-12/providence-policeman-charged-with-obstructing-fellow-officers-court/

The R.I. Attorney General and Providence police announced Friday Alexander Caraballo, 30, has been charged with both felonies and misdemeanors for obstructing justice from his fellow officers, as well as district and superior court.

A statewide grand jury indicted the policeman. He turned himself in and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Thursday, according to police and court documents. Caraballo declined to comment when reached by phone Friday.

“”It is my expectation that Providence police officers conduct themselves at the highest professional standards and constantly work to build trust within the communities that we serve,” Providence Col. Oscar Perez said in a statement.

“We fully expect each of our officers to not transgress any criminal laws will always hold officers accountable for actions that are not reflective of the high-standards of our police department,” he added. “The department is working closely with the attorney general to ensure that justice is served.”

Police allege Caraballo used his position as a policeman to help his friend “with known gang affiliations avoid legal trouble.”

“In doing so, the defendant attempted to interfere with a victim’s pursuit of justice against his friend, and obstructed fellow officers from bringing his friend into custody,” according to a news release from the R.I. Attorney General’s Office.

“When someone commits a crime, whether they are a member of the public or an officer of the law, they must be held accountable,” Attorney General Peter Neronha said in a statement.

“I want to thank the Internal Affairs Division of the Providence Police Department for their investigative work here, and the Providence Police generally for their commitment to keeping our communities safe,” he added.

Col. Oscar Perez said they are going to pursue administrative charges against Caraballo. Those have not been filed yet but the department will be seeking his termination.

Caraballo is on administrative leave without pay, according to Perez. He has been with the department for three years.

Caraballo was released on $20,000 surety bail, meaning he had to pay $2,000 and is responsible for the rest if he fails to appear for his next court date. His next court appearance is Oct. 28.

Providence police didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. According to a city announcement, Caraballo was part of the 70th Providence Police Training Academy in 2021.

According to his indictment, Caraballo is accused of “corruptly, maliciously, or reckless endeavor influence, obstruct or impede” Providence District Court and R.I. Superior Court in 2023.

He’s also alleged of obstructing justice from his fellow officers, John Najarian and Matthew Sandorse, in September 2022, according to court records.

Police records show a Providence Office of Professional Responsibility detective started investigating the allegations in July 2023. The 14-month investigation also included the Organize Crime and Intelligence Bureau.

Specifics of the allegations were no immediately available publicly, but police records show investigators were looking at accusations that Caraballo was “distributing sensitive law enforcement information with gang members and convicted felons.”

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, who also serves as the city’s public safety commissioner, said through a spokesperson the city would be filing a complaint in under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Bill of Rights, which is required to fire an officer in Rhode Island.

“Colonel Perez will be recommending termination of employment,” Smiley spokesperson Josh Estrella said in a statement.

This is a breaking news story. It will be updated.