Ex-Brockton Police Officer Accused Of Misleading Investigation

BROCKTON, MA — A former Brockton Police officer has been indicted on charges that he mislead a police investigation by falsely claiming to perform a cell check and creating a false police report, said Plymouth County District Attorney in a news release.

Anthony Louis, 40, of Brockton, is facing two counts each of Misleading a Police Investigation and Creating a False Police Report, said Cruz.

Prosecutors say the charges against Louis stem from a November 13, 2020 incident that resulted in the death of 27 -year-old Afonso Brandao while he was in police custody.

Brandao was arrested by Brockton Police due to his involvement in a minor car accident after they discovered he was driving with a suspended license. He was placed in a holding cell at the police station and was found unreponsive at 3:45 a.m. He was pronounced dead on scene by emergency medical personnel and the Chief Medical Examiner determined that Brandao's death was caused by "accidental overdose."

An investigation revealed that Louis failed to perform the required cell checks and submitted a false report as a result, according to the indictment. He also falsely told several Massachusetts State Police troopers that he hd performed the required cell checks and observed no issues with Brandao.

Louis has been terminated from his employment with the Brockton Police Department and is scheduled to be arraigned in Brockton Superior Court at a later date.