State trooper accused of inappropriate behavior
WESTPORT, Mass. -- State Trooper Allyson Powell is accused of inappropriately touching two women in two separate incidents.
On March 1, Melinda Costa, a nurse from Fall River, was pulled over for a lane violation. According to the complaint against the officer, Powell questioned Costa about whether she was in possession of drugs. When the 26-year-old told Powell that she had prescription drugs given to her by a doctor, the officer reportedly conducted full pat-down search, searched the vehicle for a half-hour, cited the driver for several violations and had the vehicle towed.
Costa told 7News that the pat-down made her extremely uncomfortable.
"It was inappropriate. I mean it was a full pat-down search of her entire body for a lane change violation," Brian Cunha, attorney, said.
That was not the first time Powell was accused of inappropriate behavior. Last March, the officer is reportedly strip searched a girl because of an inoperable headlight.
"The trooper pulls her over for a headlight that's out, and then begins questioning the four teenagers and then makes the decision to conduct a strip search of an 18-year-old girl on the side of the road, in the presence of her friends, other police officers and passing motorists," Cunha said.
The State Police Department has sent Cunha and the victim, Alyssa Bolduc, a letter saying that Powell was disciplined for violating departmental policies.
Trooper Powell did not answer the door at her residence.
State Police say that it is their policy not to comment on the status of complaints against them.
Powell is still on duty at the State Police barracks in Dartmouth.
Cunha, who represents both victims, says that one lawsuit has been filed against the officer and that he plans to file a second lawsuit soon.
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