Peabody Police Officer Wants House Arrest Rules Eased

PEABODY, MA — A Peabody police sergeant awaiting trial on domestic abuse charges asked a judge to change the rules of his house arrest so he can leave home between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m. Kenneth Anderson, an attorney for Brendan O’Brien, 42, of Buxton Street in Peabody, said the trial has been delayed because of a lack of action by prosecutors, according to the Salem News, which first reported this story.

O'Brien was initially accused of trying to strangle the woman on Aug. 24 after she confronted him about text messages from another woman. In September, a judge revoked his bail after used a false Facebook identity to "like" a photo the victim had posted about Josh Gordon returning to the Patriots. In November, prosecutors filed additional charges against O'Brien.

O'Brien has been on paid, administrative leave since the woman accused him of trying to strangle her when she told him he was breaking up with him.