Dedham police department arrested one of its police officers in connection to the kidnapping case of a man living in Avon earlier this year.
The officer, Michael Schoener, was apprehended on a warrant issued by a Norfolk Superior Court grand jury. He is currently placed on leave after being accused as an accessory in the kidnapping of a man who, authorities claimed, is presumed dead.
Schoener pleaded not guilty to the charge of accessory before the fact of kidnapping. He is allegedly instrumental to providing tools needed for the kidnapping to be successfully carried out.
Schoener was held on "$5,000 cash bail and ordered to be placed on a GPS tracking bracelet if he is released", Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey said in a statement.
The case involved a 37 year old James Robertson who arrested from his Avon residence on New Year's Day, earlier this year. The victim, Robertson, was allegedly snatched by two men posing as police officers. The men, Scott Morrison, 46, and Alfred Ricci, 45, were later arrested and charged with the kidnapping.
"Robertson, who was on probation, was last seen on January 1, 2014, when two individuals posing as constables came to his home in Avon and kidnapped him under the guise of Robertson having to be drug tested by probation," Morrissey said in a statement.
James Feeney, the third man, was also arrested and identified as the mastermind of the plot. He is currently in prison on a $500,000 bail.
Schoener was implicated in the case because he is said to have provided Feeney with Robertson's photograph as well as printed copies his criminal record. Police badge, handcuffs, and empty pistol holster was also allegedly provided by Schoener.
At the time of the disappearance, Robertson was allegedly last seen getting into a silver Toyota Camry.
