PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) — Connecticut State Police have seized the guns, badge and cruiser of a trooper following his arrest in Rhode Island for allegedly pushing and shoving his on-and-off girlfriend, authorities said Thursday.
Pawtucket police charged Trooper Marwing Pena, 30, of Sterling, Connecticut, with misdemeanor simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Pena pleaded not guilty at his arraignment on Thursday and bail was set at $1,000. A no contact order was issued and he was given permission to leave Rhode Island. No defense attorney was listed in online court records.
“Pena’s police powers have been suspended and an internal affairs investigation is underway,” state police said in a statement.
According to the police report, Pena was visiting the woman at her Pawtucket home when they got into an argument that turned physical at about 3:20 a.m. Thursday and she called police.
Pena told investigators that at no time did the argument become physical.
The woman, whose name was not made public, said they had been dating on and off for six years. They have two children together.
Pena has been a trooper since October 2018. He’s due back in court on May 20.
