ICYMI: Framingham Probation Officer Gave Woman Gun For Sex: DA

FRAMINGHAM, MA - A Framingham court probation officer allegedly gave a woman a handgun in exchange for sex, and the woman later gave the weapon to a suspected drug dealer in exchange for drugs, the Boston Globe reported Friday.

Paul F. Collins, 62, pleaded not guilty in Framingham District Court to four charges: carrying a firearm without a license, conspiracy, trafficking in firearms, and possession of ammunition without a license. Bail was set at $35,000 cash.

Collins, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan’s office, recently gave the firearm to the woman as payment for a sexual act. Police allegedly later found the same handgun while investigating a suspected drug dealer and learned the same woman had traded the gun for drugs, according to a Boston Globe report.

Collins is scheduled to earn $52,842 in 2016, according to state payroll records.

Coria Holland, spokeswoman for the probation department, sent out a brief statement on Collins via an e-mail.

“Paul Collins, an associate probation officer at Framingham District Court, is being placed on administrative leave. Collins has been a Probation employee since 2008,’’ Holland wrote. “Probation is unable to share any additional personnel information or to discuss a pending criminal matter.’’

READ THE FULL BOSTON GLOBE REPORT HERE