Crime & Safety

Feds: Former Watertown Police Sergeant Used ID Stolen on the Job to Forge Prescriptions

Joseph Deignan allegedly stole the person's identity while he was working for the Watertown Police Department.

Former Watertown Police Sgt. Joseph Deignan was arrested Tuesday on federal charges of stealing someone's identity and using it to forge prescriptions - an offense committed while he was working for the Watertown Police Department.

Deignan, 57, of Framingham, faces charges of unlawful possession of a controlled substance by fraud and fraud in connection with identification documents, according to a release from U.S. Attorney Carmen Ortiz's office.

In December, Marlborough Police arrested Deignan for using a false prescription to get oxycodone. appeared in Marlborough District Court on the charges. 

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He allegedly used another person's identification to obtain oxycodone and other controlled substances using forged prescriptions, according to the release.

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"Deignan is alleged to have stolen the driver’s license of the person in 2010, while he was working as the traffic supervisor for the Watertown Police Department," Ortiz's office said in the release.

The identity theft offense carries a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine, accoring to the release.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia Carris of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit.


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