Peabody Police Sergeant Jailed After Violating Release Conditions

PEABODY, MA —Salem District Court Judge Randy Chapman ordered Peabody Police Sgt. Brendan O'Brien held without bail for violating a condition of his release to not contact the victim in a pending domestic violence case. O'Brien used a false Facebook identity to "like" a photo the victim had posted about Josh Gordon returning to the Patriots. O'Brien has been on paid, administrative leave since the woman accused him of trying to strangle her last month when she told him he was breaking up with him.

O'Brien, of Buxton Street in Peabody, pleaded not guilty last week to charges of assault and battery on a domestic partner and suffocation or strangulation. O'Brien was released following the hearing on the condition he turn over weapons, stay away from the victim and submit random breath samples to make sure he is not drinking. The Aug. 24 fight started after the woman found text messages between O'Brien and another woman. The girlfriend told police O'Brien had been physically abusive on previous occasions.