PLYMOUTH, MA - In a disturbing story out of the coastal community of Plymouth, a couple was arrested on allegations of sexual abuse. What makes the story even more disturbing is that the female allegedly involved is a Plymouth police officer.
Samantha Pelrine and her husband, David Forand, were arrested Thursday morning, the Plymouth County District Attorney’s office said, according to the Boston Globe online, Boston.com.
Court records showed that Pelrine is facing three counts of aggravated child rape with force and one count of aggravated statutory child rape.
Forand, meanwhile, faces numerous charges, including six counts of indecent assault and battery on a person older than 14, eight counts of aggravated child rape with more than a 10-year age difference, and three counts of joint enterprise aggravated child rape with force. He is also charged with single counts of aggravated statutory child rape, assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.
Pelrine was placed on leave from the Plymouth Police Department last week when allegations of sexual abuse were first raised.
The Boston Herald reported that the couple pleaded not guilty to all charges; a judge reportedly set cash bail at only $10,000 for Pelrine and $25,000 for Forand.
Boston.com reported that information about the arraignments is not available in online court records. A representative for the Plymouth District Court clerk’s office told the outlet that all case documents have been impounded, including bail orders.
The Herald, meanwhile, reported that prosecutors have accused Pelrine and Forand of “grooming” a boy in their custody and sexually abusing him from the age of 14. Attorneys for the pair, however, questioned the veracity of the allegations and suggested there’s sufficient evidence to contradict them, the Herald reported.
In a Thursday news release, the Plymouth Police Department addressed the issues involving Pelrine.
“We are appalled and deeply disturbed by the allegations,” the department wrote. “We hold our officers to the highest standards and expect them to uphold their sworn duty both on duty and off.
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“The conduct alleged is in violation of our values and of our basic principles as police officers, to serve and protect.”
The department continued that it is committed to a “timely and thorough internal investigation to find the facts, review available evidence, and take appropriate administrative action.”
The agency also said that Pelrine’s duty status is “under review,” according to the release.
Pelrine was placed on paid administrative leave as of March 17 when the department was notified of the criminal investigation into her off-duty conduct, the agency previously said. Also, an abuse prevention order was filed that same day in Plymouth District Court and showed that Pelrine and Forand were accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting someone over whom they had legal guardianship.
The filing noted that the victim lived with their aunt and grandmother until they were 12-years-old, when they moved in with Pelrine and Forand. The alleged sexual assaults began shortly after they became the child’s legal guardians, court records stated.
“They are looking for me, and I am scared for my safety,” the victim wrote in an affidavit.
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