PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A Milford police officer entered no plea and is due back in court in April to appear before Rhode Island’s Superior Court on drug charges, according to the Sixth District Court clerk’s office.
Officer Mark Castiglione, 36, of Milford, appeared Friday in the Sixth District Court in Providence. He and and Renee E. Deans, 48, also of Milford, were each arrested on Dec. 28 by Rhode Island State Police on drug charges.
The two entered no pleas and were released on their own recognizance. Their next court date is April 18 for a pre-arraignment conference at the Rhode Island Superior Court.
Earlier: Milford police officer among two facing drug charges after Rhode Island arrest
According to a press release from Rhode Island State Police, troopers on Dec. 28 were monitoring a park on Admiral Street in Providence due to several reports of suspicious drug activity. During their investigation, troopers arrested Castiglione and Deans and charged each with possession of less than 10 grams of fentanyl; and possession of less than 10 grams of cocaine.
The two are represented by William Devine Jr., who could not be reached for comment.
Milford officer awarded for saving three from burning car
Castiglione is a U.S. Air Force veteran. According to the Cape Cod Times, in 2015 he received the Lt. Col. Farris Posey Life Saving Hero Award from the American Red Cross of Cape, Islands and Southern Massachusetts. According to Capecod.com, he received the award after rescuing three people from a burning car in 2014 while on vacation in Cape Cod prior to a six-month deployment to Kuwait.
Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino previously told the Daily News that he was aware of the arrest but could not comment. He said Castiglione has been out on medical leave since September.
Earlier: POST Commission suspends Milford officer facing drug charges
The Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) Commission, a Massachusetts agency that collects police misconduct reports from every department throughout the state, has suspended Castiglione due to his arrest.
It’s unclear how long Castiglione has been a police officer in Milford; salary records show he has worked for the town since at least 2017.
This article originally appeared on The Milford Daily News: Milford police officer facing drug charges has April court date