Photo from WCVB-TV News Story
A pair of local first responders face charges stemming from separate incidents, it was revealed yesterday.
According to court records, Lowell Firefighter David Silva stands accused of purchasing and possessing child pornography, posing or exhibiting a child in a state of nudity, human trafficking and enticing a child under 16.
He was arraigned in Wrentham District Court Tuesday. Silva pleaded not guilty to all charges. (Link to story on WCVB-TV)
Meanwhile in Chelmsford, an investigation led to an indictment yesterday by a Middlesex County Grand Jury against Police Lieutenant Francis Goode, Jr,.
Goode faces allegations of tampering with a record for use in an official proceeding, intimidation of a witness and violating the standards of conduct as a public employee for allegedly altering dispatch records and instructing a subordinate officer not to charge an arrestee in connection with an operating under the influence offense because of the arrestee’s employment in law enforcement. (Link to press release from Middlesex D.A.’s Office)
Chelmsford Police Chief, Colin Spence, issued the following statement regarding the incident and the investigation:
“In early December of last year, the Chelmsford Police Department was made aware of potential violations of policies and procedures by Lt. Frank Goode.
“Upon learning of potential wrongdoing by a member of the leadership team, the Department retained highly regarded outside firm of Matthews & Matthews LLC of Boston to conduct a full and fair internal affairs investigation and a review of the facts.
“As part of the external firm’s review, I agreed to accept the investigator’s findings in full and take all appropriate steps as a result.
“On Dec. 3, Lt. Goode was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, and the Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission was notified per Massachusetts law and has been updated throughout the investigation.
“On Dec. 9, Matthews & Matthews informed me that it learned during its investigation about an incident in March 2024 that was unrelated to its initial investigation and that included possible allegations of unlawful conduct. Given the nature of this incident, I requested Matthews & Matthews suspend its investigation and immediately shared all of the findings with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.
“The Middlesex DA then began its own investigation. The Chelmsford Police Department has been fully cooperative with that investigation.
“Earlier today, I was informed that Lt. Goode was indicted by a Middlesex County grand jury.
“As a modern, accredited law enforcement agency, we strive to serve our community with professionalism and integrity every time we put on a uniform. I am proud of the men and women of our Department who work to ensure the trust of our community every day.”
